WhatsApp, free calls coming this summer

WhatsApp has hit the accelerator and, following its acquisition by Facebook, is poised to introduce several new features.

The most appealing of these certainly relates to the upcoming possibility of making free calls via WhatsApp: this is the news of the day, supported by a series of unofficial screenshots published by the blog iPhoneitalia.
The leaked screenshots reportedly show the typical icons for the calling functionality, apparently in beta version.
According to initial rumors, calls will be possible over both 3G networks and when connected via Wi-Fi.
Furthermore, it would seem possible to initiate free calls in two different ways:

• by selecting the recipient directly from the contact list, exactly as you do when searching for a number in your phone’s address book;
• by starting the call while within the chat with the contact you wish to speak to.

This new feature, long awaited by users, could arrive soon, at least for the iOS app, by next summer.

Such an integration would bring WhatsApp into direct competition with other applications far more well-known and “specialized” in free calls: naturally, we’re thinking of the two giants, Skype and Viber , which have always been top choices for users.
WhatsApp is lacking calls to take yet another step forward and become even more present in the communication habits chosen by its subscribers.