After Facebook, the popular social media app WhatsApp is getting Facebook Messenger Rooms integration in the latest Android beta version of the app as the demand for video calling tools is rising. Other video conferencing tools such as Zoom have emerged just because of COVID-19 pandemic while shortening the demand as well as the popularity of WhatsApp. But now the chatting app’s Parent company Facebook has taken the game seriously and is now trying hard to be back in the game.
The latest Facebook Messenger Rooms integration feature was spotted in the WhatsApp version 2.20.163 beta for Android. Currently, it is available to select beta users only and is expected to reach other beta users soon. According to a report by WABbetainfo, this feature is limited to the users in the US. Interestingly this development was spotted just after Facebook announced a group limit of up to 50 participants after the rollout of Messenger Rooms features on its platform. In its blog post, the company also promised to bring this feature to more of its products in the coming months.
Coming back to WhatsApp the integration of Messenger Rooms shortcuts will benefit those people who are still unaware of other video conferencing tools and rely on WhatsApp only for video chats. The company recently increased the group calling limit to 8 participants to join a call at a time. The integration of this new feature will allow people to connect easily while supporting up to 50 participants. This feature is available for specific countries and users. Previously the shortcuts were under development to allow users to create a room or invite people by sending a link to join your video call even if they don’t have a Facebook account. Some of the Android beta users are now getting the 2.20.163 Android beta update on their devices and was first spotted in the US and more countries will be receiving the update.
The beta users can find the feature in the chat sheet if it contains the Rooms icon, the feature is correctly enabled for your WhatsApp account. The Rooms shortcut is said to have replaced the old camera action. When the users tap the Rooms icon an introduction of the feature will be flashed on your screen. Even more, this shortcut to the calls tab has also been added allowing you to create a room.
Being a feature developed in Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp will ask if you want to open that application in order to continue the operation.
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