WhatsApp’s New Voice Chat Feature for Large Groups

WhatsApp has recently launched a new voice chat feature for large groups, which is designed to be less disruptive than a group call. The new feature allows users to start voice chats quietly without any ringing involved, with an in-chat bubble that you tap to join. This feature lets you talk about things with whoever can join, while allowing you to keep messaging those who can’t. You can quickly unmute, hang up or message the group without having to leave the voice chat by clicking on the call controls at the top of the chat. The company is rolling out voice chats globally to large groups over the coming weeks, starting with those that have 33 people or more. WhatsApp notes that it protects voice chats with end-to-end encryption by default. Voice chats on WhatsApp essentially function the same as similar features on Discord, Telegram and Slack, as they allow large groups of people to connect over a spoken chat.

Features

•   Quietly start voice chats without any ringing involved
•   In-chat bubble that you tap to join
•   Talk about things with whoever can join
•   Keep messaging those who can’t
•   Quickly unmute, hang up or message the group without having to leave the voice chat by clicking on the call controls at the top of the chat
•   Protects voice chats with end-to-end encryption by default
•   Allows large groups of people to connect over a spoken chat

Specifications

•     The voice chat feature is accessible to specific groups, typically consisting of over 32 members, with a maximum of 32 participants able to join the conversation.
•     The voice chat lasts for up to 60 minutes if nobody joins.

Benefits

•     The new feature is designed to be less disruptive than a group call, which rings every member in a group.
•     Voice chats are started quietly without any ringing involved with an in-chat bubble that you tap to join.
•     The feature lets you talk about things with whoever can join, while allowing you to keep messaging those who can’t.
•     You can quickly unmute, hang up or message the group without having to leave the voice chat by clicking on the call controls at the top of the chat.
•     Voice chats on WhatsApp essentially function the same as similar features on Discord, Telegram and Slack, as they allow large groups of people to connect over a spoken chat.
•     The voice chat feature is protected with end-to-end encryption by default.