WhatsApp calling - the new voice feature for the popular instant messaging (IM) app that has consumers excited and operators stirred - will soon be available for Apple devices.
An update to the Apple iOS WhatsApp application reveals the new calling feature - already available on Android devices - will soon start rolling out for iPhone users as well.
Vestact notes WhatsApp has now hit the 800 million user mark, a figure it spotted on WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum's Facebook page.
WhatsApp Messenger version 2.12.1, which was pushed to Apple devices yesterday, lists "WhatsApp Calling" as one of the new features that comes with the update.
The note reads: "Call your friends and family using WhatsApp for free, even if they're in another country. WhatsApp calls use your phone's Internet connection rather than your cellular plan's voice minutes. Data charges may apply.
"Note: WhatsApp Calling is rolling out slowly over the next several weeks."
Other new features include the sharing of photos, videos and links directly to WhatsApp from other apps; a quick camera button in chats; the ability to edit contacts straight from WhatsApp and multiple videos, with crop and rotate ability enabled.
Expanding app
WhatsApp's voice call feature was enabled for Android users at the end of March, about a year after it was initially mapped for launch.
Koum recently alluded to a focus on quality - particularly in emerging markets - citing technical issues around this as being the reason for the protracted delay in bringing the company's free voice service to market.
In January, WhatsApp made its IM app available for use on desktop via a Web client. The Web client is basically an extension - or mirror - of users' phones. The desktop capability is, for now, only available via Google Chrome and for BlackBerry (10 and previous versions), Windows, Android and Nokia's S60 platform.
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