WhatsApp free calling feature now rolling out, may require Android Lollipop

 

It looks like WhatsApp is in the process of rolling out the much-awaited calling feature. According to a user at Reddit, he got the calling feature in his WhatsApp and he managed to make calls. The new feature also comes with a new user interface, which segregates calls, chats and contacts in three different tabs.
The Reddit users - Pradnesh07 - also showed screenshots of the updated app (posted above). He said that he was using the app APK, which is an install file for Android phones, available directly through the WhatsApp website and not the one downloaded from the Google Play store.
"It's like an invite thing, where a person with the call feature needs to 'call' another person who wants to start using the feature," wrote Pradnesh07 . "You need to get the APK from the website and not from the Play store."
For now it looks like WhatsApp is still testing the feature. Pradnesh07 wrote that he managed to call a few people in India but the feature doesn't work with all users. "I can't seem to send invites to other people, the only thing I can ensure is that it works in India for people running Lollipop 5.0.x on a Nexus 5. Other Indians without the earlier combo don't get it," he wrote.
The calls feature on WhatsApp will allow users to call their WhatsApp contacts using the internet connection. This means the calls will be free irrespective of where the users are. Users will have to only pay for the data charges, which are likely to be nominal.
This is similar to how other instant messaging apps like Skype and Viber allow users to make voice calls using internet.

However, given the scale of WhatsApp, the feature is likely to have far reaching consequences for both users and telecom industry. WhatsApp has over 500 million active users.