WhatsApp unveils new ‘Schedule Calls’ feature for group and personal calls

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WhatsApp has introduced a new feature that lets users schedule calls in advance on the popular instant messaging platform.

The new ‘Schedule Calls’ feature will be applicable to both group and one-on-one conversations. All those who have been added to a scheduled group WhatsApp call will receive a notification when the call is about to begin. The new feature will gradually become available to all users globally, as per the Meta-owned company.

“We’re launching these updates to give users new ways to connect, whether for family catch-ups or professional meetings,” WhatsApp said in a press note on Monday, August 18. Note, scheduled calls on WhatsApp will also be end-to-end encrypted.

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The latest update possibly addresses a long-standing request from users for scheduling options on WhatsApp. It also positions the app to compete more directly with other video-teleconferencing platforms such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.

Users will also now be able to raise their hand or react with an emoji when on a WhatsApp call, as per the company. WhatsApp further said it has made UI changes to make it easier for users to manage calls. For instance, users will now be able to visit the Calls tab and see upcoming WhatsApp calls with a list of attendees as well as an option to share a link to join the call.

Users who schedule WhatsApp calls in advance, will receive notifications when someone joins their call via a shared link.

Last week, WhatsApp unveiled a new AI-powered feature in beta called Writing Help. This feature is designed to give users suggestions on how to phrase messages, fix grammar mistakes or even change the tone of the phrase before sending it to someone else. The Writing Help feature is currently available on WhatsApp beta for testing on Android and is powered by Meta’s Private Processing technology.

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In June, the Meta-owned platform had announced that it will be introducing ads in its Status feature, where users can share photos, videos, and text messages that disappear after 24 hours. The sponsored ads will be sequestered to WhatsApp’s ‘Updates’ tab, which is reportedly being used by 1.5 billion people a day: WhatsApp will not show users ads in personal chats or the calls tab.