WhatsApp Messenger, the most popular instant messaging app, has recently received a very special update that will make using the new voice calling service extremely affordable.
WhatsApp caused waves in the VoIP world when it introduced the voice calling feature to add to its already amazing instant messaging duties. Using this service, users can easily make free voice calls to other users who are using the app regardless of their location.
WhatsApp voice calls are not completely free
Even though WhatsApp voice calls are usually labeled as “free”, they are not completely free. To make a call, rather than use the usual airtime as with the case of traditional phone calls, WhatsApp allows users to enjoy using the internet for the same calls. What this means is that users have the option of using Wi-Fi connection or opt for mobile data as a means of accessing the internet. In the case of the former, it will be true to say that the users will enjoy completely free WhatsApp voice calls to each other. However, the situation gets trickier when it comes to the latter option – use of mobile data.
Low Data usage setting added to WhatsApp voice calls
Those are using mobile data to make WhatsApp voice calls have been complaining that the service is eating a lot of their data bundles. Even though these complaints have been around for quite some time, it is only until now that the company has come up with an effective way of dealing with this situation.
In the latest WhatsApp 2.12.194 for Android, users of this application will now be able to make use of a new Low Data usage setting during WhatsApp voice calls. When this setting is enabled, it will mean that users use less data when making voice calls as opposed to the previous version where the app had full control of data usage during calls. This is a good way for users of mobile data to take care of their data packs and avoid ending up with situations where they have no data at all, even for sending WhatsApp messages. It will also help those in poorly connected areas to make WhatsApp voice calls using 2G connections.
Custom private and group notifications and more
This latest string of updates by Facebook also rings changes in the notification settings where users can easily manipulate individual and group notifications in a manner that pleases them. You can mute notifications for a period you want, but you can only choose from the options available. Furthermore, the custom notifications option will also let you personalize the pop-up notifications.
The new Android version of WhatsApp also adds a mark as anunread option to the platform. Users can now tap and hold on a message to bring up the option of marking the message as unread.This will serve as a reminder to you such that you can come back later on and read as well as respond to the message.
It also seems that the Google Drive backup feature is imminent thanks to a new setting that allows users to determine the amount of data used when creating Google Drive backups. This cloud storage service was at some point available on several WhatsApp beta versions; however, it was later on removed. Now that there is a new setting in the latest beta version, it seems Facebook is ready to bring this feature to life.
WhatsApp updates only available for Android users
It has become a norm for WhatsApp to roll out updates for Android users first before bringing the same updates to other platforms. The story is the same with the latest additions; however, the new WhatsApp 2.12.194 is yet to be released to the Google Play Store. If you want to install this version on your phone, you will have to get it from the official website of the app or visit the APKMirror website.
There is no news of when this new update will be rolled out for those using iOS and Windows Phone versions of WhatsApp, but it is expected to be very soon as it remains unlikely for Facebook to avail such huge updates to Android users only.
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