Facebook, which recently unveiled a video chat option, acquired in 2014. application WhatsApp now has more than 800 million monthly active users, according to its CEO Jan Koum. The application is one of the preferred messaging applications, because it allows users to send and receive text messages, pictures, free videos and audio files - even to international numbers. With the recent addition of voice calls, WhatsApp remains a serious contender to other similar companies such as Skype and Viber.
How does the app?
WhatsApp connects via your phone number and integrates with your directory listing or existing contact. Because of this, you do not need to create a new user name or password. Once you download and install the application on your device, simply to grant permission to connect to your mobile number and enter the verification code if prompted to do so. Once implementation is complete, you can send messages, pictures, videos and audio files, including voice messages and music files to everyone in your contact list who also applying .
Price
The download and use of the application is completely free, and so are all its accompanying features. That said, WhatsApp, like other voice applications caller uses a Wi-Fi or mobile data for its operation, so it will not affect your monthly minutes of monthly calls or text messages. Depending on how much data is assigned with your mobile operator, you may or may not see an increase in your monthly phone bill. However, using the application via Wi-Fi will not use any of your data plan.
Make a call
To use the voice call function, you must have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on your device, which is the 2.12.2 release. To make a call, open a conversation with one of your contacts as you would if you wanted to use the WhatsApp messaging functionality. Once the chat is open, you can press the phone icon in the upper right corner of your screen, or press the call button. During the call, your screen will display the name of your contact, phone number, WhatsApp profile photo and the message option, mute the speaker or use to end the call. All options remain on your screen for the duration of your call. If you use an iOS device, the profile photo appear as a circle in the center of your screen. If you use an Android device, the profile photo appears in full screen on your device.
Call Quality
Make and receive a call did not take the time to connect with the other user. However, the call quality was not the best, even if we were to place the call using broadband Internet. It's pretty clear to hear the person on the other end, but not as clear as in a normal voice call you would do on a mobile phone. There was also a little static for our appeal, but he resumed normal clarity seconds later.
General
In addition to maintaining a standard feature of WhatsApp, this new update also gave users the ability to share photos, videos, links and other information while using other applications. For example, if you use the Spotify music app, you can now share music in a contact WhatsApp directly from Spotify. As for voice calls, you must have the latest version of the application to use this new feature in the application sharing.
Bottom Line
Although this service is completely free, the main drawback with the new voice calling feature of WhatsApp is that it allows you to make and receive calls with other WhatsApp users, while services like Skype allow you to call a mobile or landline number. The Skype video chat feature is also free, while its VoIP call offers monthly plans. You can learn more about Skype and its tariffs and minutes here. Or if you're curious to know what other options you have to use voice calls over an Internet connection, go to our VoIP reviews.