WhatsApp for Android gets dedicated video calling button

WhatsApp has released v2.17.146 update that allows Android users to get a dedicated video calling button. According to commentators, the update, which was available through Google Play, brought some subtle yet necessary tweaks to the user interface (UI).

The earlier version featured a single calling button and long pressing the button would release the option to either make a video or voice call over WhatsApp.

As part of the latest update, there was a dedicated video call button on the top panel alongside the regular calling icon, which also relocated the attachment clip down into the message box, next to camera and voice recording icon.

It may be pointed out that a dedicated video calling button had long existed on iOS, and was the new little tweak offered to Android users. In another UI change, the text box had been rounded out from the edgy square shape.

Users that had still not updated to the latest version of WhatsApp, could go to Google Play -> WhatsApp -> Install Update.

Further, WhatsApp was also working on introducing a new feature with which users will be able to pin their favorite chats onto the top. It was currently available as part of a new update for beta users through version 2.17.162 or 2.17.163 and will be available via a dedicated icon in the action bar, placed next to functions such as delete, mute, and archive.

Meanwhile, an outage hit WhatsApp affecting services worldwide after midnight for several hours in some countries including India, leaving users to resort to alternative messaging services and even SMS.

DownDetector.com, a provider of realtime overview of online outage, reported WhatsApp had been experiencing problems since 1:30 am IST today.

WhatsApp users in countries including India, Canada, the US and Brazil experienced the outage for 'a few hours'.

"Earlier today, WhatsApp users in all parts of the world were unable to access WhatsApp for a few hours,'' WhatsApp told Reuters.