WhatsApp recently added group audio and video calls for iOS and looks like that feature was built to tackle an upcoming FaceTime functionality.
Apple announced at the WWDC 2018 keynote that FaceTime will be getting group video calls. With Group FaceTime, you can make video calls to up to 32 people at once. Apple says participants can be added at any time, and you can even join in mid-conversation if a Group FaceTime is already active.
With Group FaceTime, users are fixed in the background unless they begin speaking, which is when FaceTime will highlight them by expanding their tile to the foreground. It works intuitively even when the speaker has not spoken for a while.
Those using iOS 12 can join using video or audio from an iPhone, iPad or Mac — or even participate using FaceTime audio from Apple Watch, so you don’t have to always be on camera to participate.
Apple was particularly proud of the filters and effects that you can add to a Group FaceTime call to spice up that particularly boring business call – provided everyone is ready to goof around. You can add a personalised Animoji or Memoji to the mix in the new Group FaceTime call.
Of course, Group FaceTime is just one of the many highlights of iOS 12 and we are still exploring all the ins and outs of the newest iPhone OS. Stay tuned as we discover more amazing features from iOS 12 through the day.
