Rumors of WhatsApp working on a voice calling feature have been around for quite some time and now new screenshots suggest WhatsApp has begun testing the feature.
The leak comes from Android focused website Androidworld.nl showing a build of the WhatsApp app that offers calling features. The screenshots suggest that there would be separate screens for dialing a voice call to WhatsApp contacts, call logs and ongoing calls. Missed calls notifications would also be available, along with a voice mail option.
Additionally, WhatsApp is also expected to introduce call recording, playback, call mute, switch to text message, and hanging up option as well.
WhatsApp CEO, Jan Koum, had earlier confirmed in October that the voice calling feature was in the works, but also revealed the release would be delayed till Q1 2015 owing to some technical issues.
At this point of time it’s really difficult to verify the authenticity of the screenshots as WhatsApp has not yet confirmed that it’s testing the feature via beta builds.
Roll out of the voice call feature on WhatsApp would come as a challenge for other messengers such as Hike, Viber and Line which already provides voice based calling feature. WhatsApp currently has over 600 million+ active users across its Android and iOS apps.
Looking at the development so far, we expect the new voice calling functionality could land sometime early next year.
