Whatsapp appears to have started rolling out its long awaited call functionality. An user has posted a video on Youtube demonstrating the feature which makes it possible to call Whatsapp contacts over Voice Over IP (VOIP). To use the feature an "invitation" is required.
There hasn't been an official announcement of the feature but an user placed information on Reddit today. The video reveals a call button has been added to the Whatsapp interface that makes it possible to call Whatsapp contacts over VOIP. The interface looks like any other phone application.
According to Reddit user pradnesh07 it's necessary to install the latest Whatsapp .APK from the Whatsapp website. Although these .APKs are for Android, the call feature should soon also make its appearance on other mobile operating systems. Detailed information about the feature is unfortunately missing for now. So far we've been unable to get the call button to display, after we installed the latest .APK. Other users report the same and are unable to see the call icon.
Users for which the call button has appeared, report that it points to Android's default dialer app, to enable the VOIP feature an user first has to be "invited" by someone for whom the call feature is already enabled. Inviting an user works by dialing the user using the Whatsapp call feature. It seems Whatsapp is opting for a cautious start and slowly gives access.
Rumors about Whatsapp adding a call feature to its application have been buzzing around the net for some time already. However Whatsapp has never released any official information on its VOIP calling feature, for now it's also silent on the current roll out.
