What do messenger apps have in common? Chatting features, camera access to take pictures and videos, emoticons, stickers, and more. While each have their own unique (but similar) features, they all have their own fans.
WhatsApp is on top of the food chain. But that isn't stopping it from sinking its teeth deeper into its competitors' market.
The messenger app owned by Facebook is ready to enter yet another crowded industry. To rival the likes of Apple's FaceTime, Viber, LINE, Skype and Google's Duo, the popular messaging and voice app said that it's adding the feature to place free video calls within the app.
WhatsApp is sharing the influence Facebook is having. With more than a billion users, the feature is giving that many users the ability to speak face-to-face with friends and family, regardless the gadget they're using.
"We're introducing this feature because we know that sometimes voice and text just aren't enough," said WhatsApp in its blog on November 14th, 2016. "And we want to make these features available to everyone, not just those who can afford the most expensive new phones or live in countries with the best cellular networks."
To use the feature, users just need to open a chat box, tap on the phone icon to choose the video call option in the menu.
WhatsApp was founded in 2009 by Jan Koum. It started out as a basic app with straightforward mission. With its simplicity and easiness to use if compared to most messaging app in the market, the app quickly gained traction. Since acquired by Facebook, the app rolled out more features far more quickly.
From eliminating its annually fee to finally becoming a Snapchat copycat, the app is also popular among users concerned with privacy and security, thanks to its ability to provide end-to-end encryption.
WhatsApp already supports a number of standard features such as group texting and voice calling. But the company said that video calling has remained one of its top feature requests from users.
WhatsApp in adding the video calling feature just adds the example how messaging app wants to be more than just messaging. Others like Facebook's Messenger and Snapchat are already having the feature. Google, Apple Microsoft and even Yahoo! are also offering something similar. What they do is hoping more people in using their services.
With more feature added, it's getting harder for WhatsApp to retain its character. But no matter how difficult it is, WhatsApp is still trying to be as it was known for: simple.