WhatsApp has not slept on the opportunity to challenge Zoom at a time when the video conferencing platform is booming with new business.
Why would WhatsApp want to challenge Zoom?
Zoom Video Communications has become the backbone of the digitized labour market. To stay afloat and maintain some normalcy in these trying times, companies have adjusted to remote working.
For startup businesses, especially in the technology and internet sector, this is just another day at the home office. Corporate and government entities have had a rude awakening, though.
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Zoom plays a big role in the functioning of many entities. It’s a seamless way to schedule meetings, one-on-one’s, and run other operational programs.
Here’s why free video call apps don’t compete with Zoom
In South Africa, there is no cheap alternative to getting the best quality audio and video feed in conference calls of more than three people.
Google Hangouts and Duo are the most cost-effective ways to keep local businesses connected. However, in term of the output quality of video calls, these do not compete with Zoom.
Hangouts is best for audio meetings where one user can host a virtual presentation.
The reality is, many companies across the world have been hit hard by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and cost-saving options will be attractive.
Is WhatsApp developing a new video and audio conferencing feature?
WhatsApp, a messaging app owned by Facebook, has apparently understood this. As reported by GSM Arena, WhatsApp is on the verge of upgrading its video and audio calls feature.
“Strings of code that have been discovered through a deep dive inside WhatsApp’s latest beta release have revealed that the service is preparing to up its maximum number of participants on a group audio or video call as well, in the near future. Currently, the limit is four participants, which is way less than what some competitors are offering,” GSM Arena writes.
GSM Arena, 17 April 2020
The Facebook-owned app has not made any statements addressing these murmurs but if it is indeed true, this could be received well by South African businesses.
