WhatsApp endeavors to improve its users call experience with an update bringing a host of new features.
WhatsApp video calls now support up to 32 people, with notifications for new joinees. Image source: Meta
While it made its mark in the world of secure messaging, WhatsApp intends to attract more users to its voice and video call functions too. To kick things off, group video calls have gotten bigger with support for 32 persons in a single call. That is four times more than previously supported number of callers. If the calls get too chaotic, a new feature allows both direct messaging and muting of call participants. By long pressing on a participant, an enlarged interface appears to perform these functions without interrupting the call. Gathering users for a WhatsApp call is now easier with a new call link feature that can be shared to participants.
Colourful waveforms with private message and mute features help manage large calls. Image source: Meta
Voice calls have received new features too. It is now easier to know who is talking in a large group call with colorful waveforms overlayed on the speaker. If someone pops into the group call, a notification now pops up to mark their arrival. iOS users will receive an exclusive, minimized in-call video screen feature. Users can now multitask on their devices without interrupting an ongoing video call. This feature is still currently under beta testing and will roll out in the new year.
Even with new features for WhatsApp calls, the commitment to privacy and security still remains. As always, the end-to-end encryption on all communication through the app by default remains in place. For more details on the new features, visit Improved Calling Features on WhatsApp | Meta (fb.com).
Logitech has released its latest webcams with the Brio 500 series. The new series of 1080p webcams offer light correction, auto-framing, noise-cancelling mics and a versatile, movable mount.
Be your best self with Logitech’s Brio 500 webcam. Image source: Logitech
No more bad angles with magnetic mount design
In its launch video, Logitech has promised that customers can “Be your best self every video call” with the Brio 500 series webcams. Perhaps the most unique feature is the “Show Mode”. The “Show Mode” allows you to share your desk by simply tilting the webcam. Logitech has improved the mount design to accommodate this movement. The webcam attaches to the mount magnetically and clamps onto your monitor with an adjustable foot lined with microsuction tape. The mount also has a round attachment point to the webcam. This makes it easy to turn the camera horizontally to get the best recording angle for your video call.
The Brio 500’s unique magnetic mount allows for better video call angles while maintaining grip. Image source: Logitech
Better video and audio for video calls
Logitech’s Brio 500 series offers 1080p video calls with a bonus of improved lighting and framing. The new webcams come with Logitech’s latest RightLight 4 technology which automatically corrects lighting in both over lit and poorly lit scenarios. RightLight 4 also performs auto-framing, helping the camera stay centered on you. This is particularly helpful in situations where movement is required such as presentations. To access RightLight 4 and other “advanced meeting experiences”, Logitech requires the download of their Logi Tune software for free. On top of these features, the Brio 500 also has AI-based face image correction for greater clarity during video calls. As for audio, the webcam has dual microphones with beamforming noise-reducing technology. This offers greater call clarity and is capable of capturing your voice even when you move around in front of the webcam.
Other features and pricing
Brio 500’s in built privacy shutter. Image credit: Tom’s Hardware
The Brio 500 includes a built in-privacy shutter that works by rotating the right-end cap on its cylinder-shaped body. Logitech has also developed this webcam series with sustainability in mind. The plastic parts are certified post-consumer recycled plastic, with varying proportions between 54% to 68%, used in its different color offerings. It is available in three colours; graphite, off-white and rose. The Brio 500 series is available in Malaysia now. Retail price as per the official Logitech website is RM609. It is also available in store with authorized retailers and resellers.
Zoom just made an announcement earlier today that they will be acquiring Karlsruhe Information Technology Solutions (KITeS). While an acquisition of another firm may not sound like much, this is a significant acquisition for Zoom. This acquisition should improve the experience and the interface that is Zoom.
Zoom has been an immensely popular platform since its rise in the recent pandemic situation. In the situation that is the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are driven to work-from-home measures. That also means that communication with your colleagues and friends are limited to phone calls, online chat platforms, mobile text messaging, and video calls for more intimacy. Hence, the boom in Zoom’s popularity last year.
The company has also been facing plenty of challenges and criticisms when it comes to its user friendliness and, most of all, the platform’s overall security. Of course, the ever so popular video conferencing solutions provider responded to all the security issues pointed out by its users as swiftly as they can. Most of the issues have been rectified, according to Zoom.
The pursuit to the best video conferencing experience is a never ending one for the likes of Zoom though. Recently, Cisco’s Webex have been updated with new interfaces and features. One of the includes a live transcription and even instant highlights of the video call with the help of a clever integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI).
KITeS is a developer of a real-time translation and transcription software, or AI. In some ways, the technology that KITeS is working on mimics the capabilities that Google wants for its Google Translate software except that everything is sort of integrated. At the same time, the technology does sound promising for companies like Zoom.
Source: Zoom
Zoom already has their own real-time transcription algorithm integrated within Zoom though. The only issue with the real-time transcription function in Zoom is that it only works with English and no other languages. That is the problem that Zoom’s latest acquisition looks to solve.
With the acquisition of KITeS, Zoom hopes to integrate their clever AI into their video conferencing app to ensure that real-time transcriptions are more accurate than before. On top of that Zoom hopes that the AI would also allow real-time translations from other languages to eliminate the language barriers altogether in international video conferencing.
Zoom did not provide a timeline to when the said functions would make it to Zoom. We also know that Zoom will not be the only video conferencing solutions provider that is looking to integrate more accurate real-time transcription and translation functions in their app. Platforms like Google Meets has already integrated real-time translations into the platform thanks to their clever Google Translate. Microsoft’s Translate algorithm is also integrated into Microsoft Teams, if you are wondering.
Zoom is available for free on all major computing and mobile platforms in the world. Of course, free membership also means limited access to Zoom’s functions. Free membership also means that your video calls are only limited to 40 minutes at a time. Paid subscriptions range from US$ 14.99 a month to US$ 19.99 a month with differing access to features in Zoom. You can find more information on Zoom in their https://zoom.us/.
