WhatsApp is preparing a new voice calling service that will be provided to its users for free, according to reports.
Support for the service is expected to be provided through the updated version of the Facebook-owned the mobile messaging app, according to Tech Times. If the reports are true, the update would put WhatsApp in competition with voice messaging services Skype and Viber.
Voice calling for the app was first hinted at by WhatsApp CEO Jan Korum at this year's Mobile World Congress event. The update was scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2014 but has not been made available yet.
The voice calling feature was suggested in recently leaked images, which also indicate that the feature will be available soon, India Today reported.
"The leaked images of the upcoming user interface shows that the app has been enabled with other language translations which will be displayed at the time a person receives a call via WhatsApp," a report on thefusejoplin.com stated.
The new feature has also been indicated to be arriving soon in the translation feature for the app that was leaked in April. The app is also revealed in the leaked images to have buttons for speakers, muting, messaging and ending calls, Tech Times reported.
Users will have several new opportunities with free voice calling, such as not having to pay a fee while talking to people on their list. Skype and Viber currently charge 1.7 cents and 1.9 cents per minute, respectively, for calls in the U.S. Since WhatsApp is optimized for voice calls, it would also have an edge over Viber and Skype by experiencing no delays in calls.
WhatsApp is expected to initially provide free voice calls to users with iOS and Android devices,,and eventually to users with BlackBerry and Windows Phone devices, Tech Times reported.
WhatsApp currently has 600 million active years and has experienced a 15 percent increase in traffic since being bought by Facebook, India Today reported. It has not been indicated as to whether the social networking giant will receive free voice calling as well.
