Popular Meta chat app WhatsApp today gained guest calling, a feature that lets users invite anyone to join a voice or video call, even if the invitee doesn't have a WhatsApp account.


WhatsApp says everyone has access to free, end-to-end encrypted calls with no time limits and support for up to 32 people at once.

A guest joining a call needs permission from the call host, and guests will show up in a waiting room until the host lets them in. Guests cannot see other participants' phone numbers, send messages, or add others to the call, and hosts can remove them from the call at any time. Guests have access to screen sharing for reviewing materials, thumbs up and heart emoji reactions, and a raised hand to ask a question.

WhatsApp users can start a guest call through the Calls tab. Tap "+" to create a call link and then send the link to anyone. WhatsApp calls can be joined in a computer browser with a WhatsApp call link.

WhatsApp says that it plans to roll out calendar integrations later this year for creating a WhatsApp call from a Google or Outlook calendar.

With the option to join a call from a browser, WhatsApp is matching a feature that Apple started offering for FaceTime with iOS 15. Anyone can join a ‌FaceTime‌ call with a ‌FaceTime‌ link.
This article, "WhatsApp Now Lets Anyone Join Calls, No Account Needed" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp’s head of product, said she had heard from users that they didn’t always want to share their phone numbers in order to be in contact with others, particularly in group chats.

She said she hoped the feature would „give users control over how they choose to show up“ on the app.

The secure messaging app Signal introduced an identical service in 2024.

Zoe Kleinman | BBC

Subjektive (und beinahe wertungsfreie) Beobachtungen während meines Urlaubs in einer Gruppe mit 25 Personen:

• Niemand fragt nach einer Alternative für WhatsApp; niemand zieht gleichzeitig auch nur in Erwägung, für Plus zu zahlen.
• Jeder, der unter „Accounts“ nachschaut, ob er bereits darf, klickt intuitiv den von der EU erzwungenen Hinweis auf BirdyChat weg.
• Das ist komplett vergessen; für die Erstellung eines WhatsApp-Kontos ist weiterhin die Handynummer erforderlich.
• Fotos werden in Chats geteilt, und mit zwei oder drei expliziten Ausnahmen geschieht dies quasi nie in HD.
• „Staged Rollouts“ für neue Funktionen sind universell unbeliebt.
  

Und niemand stößt sich an der schrecklichen UI – außer mir. Bereits der „Meta AI“-Button disqualifiziert die App augenblicklich.