WhatsApp has just unveiled new video effects for its video calls, with 10 options ranging from funky to hilarious. The joy of calls on WhatsApp isn’t limited to the fact that they’re free, assuming you are using your data allowance. It’s also that the calls have more features than regular phone calls. And the company has just unveiled other new video and audio features, in time for this year’s holidays.
New calling features are coming to WhatsApp.
There are practical updates, such as selecting call participants from a group chat. “You call exactly who you want without disrupting the rest. Ideal for planning surprise parties or presents,” the company said.
Then there are the improvements to video calls, with 10 effects to choose from to turn calls into something that looks more fun. These vary “from adding puppy ears, to taking you underwater, or handing you a microphone for karaoke.”
The new Underwater effect on WhatsApp video calls.
Ever keen to go the extra mile, I have tested all 10 of the special effects. These are the most notable: Underwater is excellent, with the water sitting at about your eyeline and you can peep in and out of it as you like. You don’t even have to hold your breath when you’re under the water line.
Puppy ears is the cutest effect but there’s also Goof, which turned me into Carl Fredericksen, the old guy from Up!, I was tactlessly told. Nervous squeezes your face to make you look frightened, Energy sees a green glow emanate from the back of your head, Tears makes big blue drops of water pop out of your eyes, and Star Windows makes little star-shaped versions of you float around. Microphone puts a radio mic in front of you and there’s also Sparkles and Nice Day.
Like with Apple iMessage, you can also handle calls on your desktop, too. Just this morning I took a WhatsApp call on my iMac because my iPhone was on the other side of the room. You may call that lazy; I can’t possibly comment.
The new changes include improvements to desktop calls, too so that when you click the calls tab on the WhatsApp desktop app, you’ll see all the options you need to easily start a call, as well as creating a call link or just dialing a number.
Me, transformed by Goof. Dear reader, I don’t look like this.
Finally, there are also better-quality video calls for desktop and mobile, promising higher resolution and clearer picture for one-to-one and group calls.
Altogether, the changes are aimed at making being in touch with your loved ones easier and more fun than ever. After all, more than 2 billion calls are made via WhatsApp every day. And no doubt the holidays will see a seasonal spike to that already huge number.