WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that will enable groups to have continuous voice chats. According to the reliable WABetaInfo, the latest WhatsApp beta on Android is rolling out voice chats for select users, allowing a more convenient way to start chat sessions in groups.
The voice chat feature is similar to what Discord or Telegram offers, where opening up a voice chat room will enable any of the group’s users to jump in and out at any time. Unlike group voice calls, iniating a voice chat won’t ring the phones of all the group members, making it easier to start a discussion without having to schedule it with everyone.
With the beta, there is a new waveform icon in group chats that will appear if the account has the feature enabled. When launched, it opens up a voice chat for any member to enter at any time and is able to accomodate up to 32 users at a time, the same limit as with voice and video group calls. If everyone leaves the session and it remains empty for more than 60 minutes, it will automatically end.
WABetaInfo also noted that as with most features on WhatsApp, the voice chats are end-to-end encrypted. While it is currently only available for a small number of users, it will apparently be rolled out to more people over the coming days.
(Source: WABetaInfo)
