WhatsApp has submitted a new update for the app through the Google Play Beta Program. The new version is 2.21.19.15. As is the case with any new update that gets approved, this one, too, would contain a number of fixes. However, the most important feature that this update will bear is called Group Call Shortcuts.
The newly added feature will help users place group calls from the group card quickly. WhatsApp info states that these video and voice call shortcuts will be available when the user views the group card after updating their respective WhatsApp app to the latest version. However, it is not yet clear as to how the new feature is a ‘new’ inclusion or how it will get implemented to create the shortcut since the same function could be performed by tapping the ‘call’ button placed beside the name of the group.
We will only get to experience how the new feature changes the placing video call option after the new version gets rolled out to everyone. The beta info also mentions that if the button available for the video chat is not tappable, it may mean that nobody, except the admins of the group, will be able to interact using the button.
The developers at WhatsApp made it clear that the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.21.19.15 has been marked as compatible for an update; however, some users might not get it right away, and that they need to wait for the 2.21.19.14 beta to be available for them for that. In other words, this feature should be available to everyone, but if a user is unable to access it, they might need to wait for the next update.
After completing its beta program, the update will gradually be rolled out to every user, and for that to happen, it might take some time.