The popular cross-platform messaging app, WhatsApp, appears to have revealed an early series of screenshots that showcase its Voice over IP functionality, which is set to roll out to users later this spring. The pics detail an in-call screen sporting a design similar to iOS 7’s default Phone app, with four circular buttons to mute the call, switch to a text messaging session, direct the call through the device’s speaker and hang up. The top of the display shows the contact’s name, photo and phone number, according to the folks over at iPhoneItalia.
The calls that are made using the new feature will add a colored “call in progress” bar to the display when a user switches out of WhatsApp, similar to the method employed by other VoIP apps such as Skype and Line to notify the user that the call is still alive. The functionality is provided by iOS APIs although developers can modify its color and labeling.
The company has made it easier for users to attach photos to a text message, adding a small camera button at the top of the keyboard. The small but welcome tweak cuts down on what was previously a multi-step process.
For those of you who didn’t already know, WhatsApp was recently acquired by Facebook in a $19 billion deal. The deal will reportedly not charge for the calling service as it seeks to reach feature parity with more established competitors. In addition to other messaging apps, it’s also competing with built-in Apple services like iMessage, FaceTime, and the new FaceTime Audio VoIP offering.
WhatsApp hasn’t revealed an exact release date and it’s also unclear if there are any other changes in the works following the Facebook deal. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Source: iPhoneItalia
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