Telegram Rolls Out Video Call Feature; Should WhatsApp Need To Worry?
Telegram rolls out the new alpha version of one-on-one video calls feature on both Android and iOS platforms. The one-on-one video calls are protected with end-to-end encryption. To check for encryption, the user can match the set of four emojis displayed on their display and confirm it with their chat partner. If they match, your call is secured by time-tested encryption also used in Telegram's Secret Chats and Voice Calls. The company also confirmed that the group video call feature is on its way and will be available in the coming months.
Telegram in its official blog said, Users can start a video call from their contact's profile page, and switch video on or off at any time during voice calls. Like all other video content on Telegram, video calls support picture-in-picture mode, allowing you to scroll through chats and multitask while maintaining eye contact.
Stressing on encryption, Telegram affirmed, “Our apps for Android and iOS have reproducible builds, so anyone can verify encryption and confirm that their app uses the exact same open-source code that we publish with each update”.
The Telegram was launched as a messaging app in 2013 and since then, it has attracted over 400 million users worldwide.
Marking its seventh anniversary, Telegram also announced the bunch of animated stickers. These emojis will be appearing in the larger animated version when used in a chat.
Telegram VS WhatsApp
After introducing video call feature to its app, the Telegram will be taking with the likes of WhatsApp, Viber and Signal, etc. Video meetings become new normal and apps with video calling support are getting popular due to the ongoing situation of Covid-19. WhatsApp supports encrypted group video calls of up to 8 participants and that can even increase up to 50 if you use Messenger chat rooms. In contrast, Telegram is also in its way to introduce group video calls. However, it is still unknown how many participants it will support.
Initially, WhatsApp was mostly known for having more communication options than Telegram. But now, the narrative is slowly changing as Telegram has started working more towards improving communication experience.
Additionally, Telegram could also make it difficult for popular video conferencing app, Zoom app, as it is still not providing end-to-end encryption to its free users.
