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WhatsApp Video Calling Feature Removed in Latest Android Beta Update

WhatsApp Video Calling Feature Removed in Latest Android Beta Update

By Ketan Pratap | Updated: 16 May 2016 18:13 IST

Highlights

Latest beta release of WhatsApp for Android removes Video Call function.
The new update bumps the version to 2.16.81.
We can expect broader rollout of video calls on WhatsApp soon.

WhatsApp doesn't seem quite ready to roll out its video calling feature yet. The company has pulled the feature from its latest beta app version. WhatsApp Video Calling was spotted last week in v2.16.80 of the Android app available via the Google Play beta testing program. The 'Video Call' feature wasn't functional though it was accessible via the call button within a conversation and appeared alongside the choice of audio call.

Now, WhatsApp v2.16.81 for Android has now rolled out via the Google Play beta testing program removes the feature, and the video call option is no longer visible via call button. Users can sideload the updated app via the APK Mirror. We wonder what this means to the timeline and the manner of the video calling feature rollout. To refresh, the messaging service rolled out voice calling in a phased manner and was initially available to select users via an invite-based system. On tapping the call button while using the v2.16.80 of the WhatsApp beta for Android, users were greeted with a message saying "Couldn't place call. Video Calling is unavailable at this time."

WhatsApp has been lately working on adding various features to its messaging service. It is expected to add call back, voicemail, and zip file sharing features apart from the video calls support to the service soon.

Recently, WhatsApp launched desktop apps for Windows and Mac. With the launch of desktop app, WhatsApp made its messaging service available across all popular platforms in app form. The WhatsApp desktop app, just like the Web client, requires users to scan a QR code using the WhatsApp app on the smartphone. On the smartphone, users will have to look for WhatsApp Web menu under Settings.

Earlier this year, the messaging service WhatsApp announced that it now had 1 billion monthly active users.

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Ketan Pratap

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Ketan Pratap is the editor at Gadgets 360 - with over 12 years of experience covering the technology domain. With a breadth and depth of knowledge in the field, he's done extensive work across news, features, reviews, and opinion pieces. But what's truly inspiring about Ketan is how he spends his free time. He's often found gazing at snow-capped mountains from over 20,000 feet while sitting on the hood of his car, taking in the breathtaking beauty of nature. His passion for the great ...More