Facebook has implemented voice and video calls on its desktop version of WhatsApp, as a strategy to deal with the strength that Zoom maintains in this area, is indicated in a publication From the newspaper Daily Mail.
According to the technology blog WABetaInfo, This is a limited release, with buttons showing beta labels, and for now only those selected as beta testers have access to these features.
When receiving a call or initiating one, a separate smaller window will open which will allow users to continue sending messages to other people.
Facebook and WhatsApp owner Mark Zuckerberg seems willing to confront Zoom, that has gained popularity as a video calling app during lockdown.
With more than 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp ranks second after the eponymous app from its parent company Facebook Inc., however, it is mainly used for personal calls, unlike Zoom, which saw an increase in commercial use this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Until it is implemented globally, WhatsApp voice and video calls are only available in its mobile version, unlike Zoom, which has dominated the desktop.
Facebook is in the lead when it comes to messaging apps, with Messenger coming in first place in the US. Zoom has dominated the video conferencing market this year, because millions of people were prevented from leaving their homes by the health crisis.
“Facebook targets competitors with a ‘buy or bury’ approach: if they refuse to be bought, Facebook tries to squeeze all the oxygen out of the room for these companies, “said New York Attorney General Letitia James.
We still have to wait to know specifically what are Facebook’s plans regarding Zoom. (E)
–
