whatsapp_google_buyout.jpg

WhatsApp has quietly started rolling out a read receipt feature. With a new WhatsApp update, users will notice two blue check marks next to a sent message, which is actually an indication that the recipient has read the message.
Additionally, the much-awaited free voice-calling or VoIP (Voice over IP) feature via the popular messaging service has been tipped again in leaked icons.

The updated app has been rolled out, and we've verified that the new WhatsApp app for Android has the feature. Android and Windows Phone users can now see two blue check marks in a chat that notifies a user that the recipient has read the message. Earlier versions of the app showed a grey double check mark which indicated the message had been delivered.

The iOS version of WhatsApp is yet to receive the read receipt feature at the time of filing this report.

whatsapp_read_receipts.jpg

WhatsApp has also updated its FAQ pages titled "How can I tell if someone has read my message?" and "What are those check marks next to my messages?"

In addition to the read receipts, WhatsApp has also rolled out the Message Info screen that now displays details of a message. The FAQ page notes, "For any message that you send, you will be able to see a Message Info screen, displaying the details of when your message was delivered, read or played by the recipient(s)." Users can check Message Info by tapping and holding a sent message.

In other news, the long-awaited voice-calling or VOIP (Voice over IP) feature has again been spotted, this time via leaked icons. A Dutch publication (via 9to5mac) has posted icons for missed calls, start call, end call, incoming and outgoing calls, and new call from an Android app. The publication has also shared a tone it claims will be the dial tone for WhatsApp.

WhatsApp recently announced a delay in its plan of introducing the free voice-calling feature this year, pushing back the launch to the first quarter of 2015. WhatsApp CEO, Jan Koum, claimed that the firm still had several technical issues to overcome before it could successfully launch seamless voice calling. Koum noted issues like how the app doesn't have access to certain microphones on the smartphone to properly enable noise cancellation.


whatsapp_voice_calling_icons_leak_droidappnl.jpg

Koum also added that the WhatsApp development team was looking for ways to implement the voice calling service in poor data coverage areas, considering that many WhatsApp users in emerging markets were still on 2G networks.