Reliance Jio has announced to launch its own video calling app. Dubbed as JioMeet, the app will compete with other video calling tools like Zoom, Google Meet, WhatsApp, etc. In a time of coronavirus pandemic, the demand for video-calling apps has grown very much, so Jio’s step of launching such an app seems legit.

The company hasn’t announced any specific date on the rollout of the JioMeet. Nevertheless, a dedicated microsite is live now that has a message saying, “Thank you for your interest in JioMeet.”

Here’s everything that you need to know about the app.

JioMeet Platforms

JioMeet will support all platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS. So, users will be able to access this video-calling tool on their phones as well as on PCs. Also, it is expected to be free for all users.

Also Read: Forget Zoom, Google Meet is Now FREE For Everyone

Moreover, Jio’s latest tool will also be accessible through web browsers like Google Chrome, so there will be no need to download the software as well. Users will be able to log in using email IDs or join a meeting as a guest.

It is also reported that JioMeet will offer HD-quality video calling experience across platforms.

Also Read: Mega Comparison: Zoom vs Skype vs Microsoft Teams vs Google Meet vs Google Duo vs Messenger Rooms

JioMeet Features

Users will be able to use JioMeet for video conferencing, as well as voice calling, and messaging. It will be loaded with stickers, emoticons and features like background change.

Also Read: How to Use Virtual Backgrounds in Zoom

Following are some features that are said to be there on JioMeet when it launches:

100 Participants

Like most of the other video conference apps these days, JioMeet app will allow group calling to up to 100 participants.

Healthcare Facility

Interestingly, the app will come with the integration of Jio’s healthcare platform. This feature will allow users to consult doctors online, book lab tests online, and more.

E-education Platform

Another interesting feature, JioMeet is expected to have is an e-education platform. This will offer virtual classroom facilities for students with features like recorded classes, online notes and homework, and more.

This is not the first time when Jio has announced a video calling platform. To recall, the company had launched something similar on its JioChat app.

However, this JioMeet appears to focus only on video conferencing to take on the likes of Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

Also Read: This Is How You Pre-Register With JioMart and Get Rs. 3000 Discount

Not just JioMart, Reliance Jio will soon launch JioMeet for video calls in India (Representational image)

Alongside JioMart, Reliance Jio is working on its own video calling platform called JioMeet. The company announced to commercially launch JioMeet in India soon. JioMeet has been in the testing process for a long time and the company has smartly selected a time to launch the platform for everyone when working remotely and self-quarantining have become normal thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Reliance Jio hasn’t revealed when JioMeet will launch but given everyone is highly dependent on video calls to connect with the world we can expect the rollout very in a few weeks or even days. With the JioMeet Reliance Jio is definitely aiming to take on the likes of other popular existing video calling platforms such as Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, and more. Jio will reveal more details about the JioMeet in the days to come such as how the video calls will work, number of participants for each video call and so on.

Last week, Reliance Industries Limited, Jio Platforms and Facebook announced the signing of binding agreements for an investment of Rs 43,574 crore by Facebook into Jio Platforms. Facebook’s investment will translate into a 9.99 per cent equity stake in Jio Platforms on a fully diluted basis.

TheJio and Facebook partnerships has already resulted in JioMart, an e-commerce platform, which is under testing right now. Jio says that partnership will enable new opportunities for businesses of all sizes, but especially for small businesses across India. This is because it will “create new and exciting digital ecosystems that will empower, enrich and uplift the lives of all 1.3 billion Indians.”

Also Read: Jio, Facebook giving free 25GB daily data for 6-months? Beware, it’s a new COVID-19 scam

For the JioMart, Jio Platforms and WhatsApp have entered into a commercial partnership agreement to further accelerate Reliance Retail’s New Commerce business. JioMart is integrated with WhatsApp to ensure that consumers are able to access the nearest kiranas who can provide products and services to their homes by transacting seamlessly with JioMart using WhatsApp.

The testing has already begun and the companies have announced a phone number that the consumers need to save on their mobile phone and then send a message. The automated message will guide consumers through the online shopping process. The service is currently being tested in some parts of Maharashtra. We can expect commercial launch to happen very soon.

Read all about JioMart here: How it works, and how you can buy daily essentials from the platform

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Jio also partnered with Microsoft platforms and enabled Work From Home, Learn From Home & Health At Home initiatives for everyone. The operator also made changes to its plans in order to provide better offerings to the users. Here are some changes Jio brought in due to the pandemic: double data and additional offnet minutes to all mobility add-on pack users, double data for all JioFiber users, complimentary 10mbps JioFiber plan, extended validity of JioPhone users for free incoming calls and provided 100 minutes call and 100 SMS to JioPhone users who have not been able to recharge, and some more.

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Blow to video conferencing systems? Latest version of WhatsApp allows for eight-person video calling, and it is encrypted

WhatsApp users on iOS and Android devices are being advised to update to the latest version of the messaging app to take advantage of a new feature.

The Facebook-owned unit officially rolled out eight-person video calls for iOS and Android users globally this week.

The move now makes WhatsApp a viable alternative to the usual video chat apps such as Zoom, Meet and Skype, and is an important development for those looking for group calling in order to stay in touch with friends and family during the global Coronavirus pandemic.

Group Calling

WhatsApp announced the raising of the WhatsApp call participant limit in a blog post on the matter on Tuesday.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that many of us are isolated from friends and family,” said WhatsApp. “As a result, we see that people all over the world are turning to voice and video calling on WhatsApp more than ever before.”

“Group calling has been particularly useful and our users have asked to connect with more people at once,” the unit wrote. “Starting today, we’re doubling the number of participants you can have on a WhatsApp video or voice call from 4 to 8 people at a time.”

WhatsApp said that over the last month, people on average are spending over 15 billion minutes talking each day on WhatsApp calls, well above a typical day before the pandemic.

“And just like written messages, all those calls are protected with end-to-end encryption,” said WhatsApp. “We have built group calling in a way that makes it available for as many users as possible, including people on lower-end devices and slow network conditions.”

WhatsApp is also available on Facebook’s Portal devices, which “many users have told us has been a great way to share their living room with family during quarantine.”

In order to access the eight person group video callings, iOS and Android users will need to update to the latest version of WhatsApp.

To start a group video call chat, users should select ‘Calls’ from the bottom menu bar and click the call icon in the upper right corner of WhatsApp.

Tap ‘New Group Call’ above your contact list. Search or scroll through your contacts to add up to seven more call participants.

It is likely that the WhatsApp development will be a popular option for friends and families to stay in touch, whilst competitors such as Skype, Google Hangouts and Zoom will remain the preferred option for larger virtual gatherings or work-related meetings.

Now, in the latest Android beta version of the app, v2.20.143, the WABetaInfo has spotted that on the primary registration screen, the app asks users to switch to Wi-Fi. As per the screenshot, it says, “Without Wi-Fi, logging in may be slow, and may use a large amount of your data plan.”

Although the reason for the requirement of Wi-Fi hasn’t been stated for using the multi-device feature, the report says that it could be because WhatsApp needs to transfer data — including chat history — to the other device.

Besides this, the report also sheds some light on how the multi-device feature will work. As per the report, once this feature is rolled out and activated, all your devices that are logged in with that account will receive a message. Further, all the previous actions such as starring a message, archiving of chats will also be in sync across all devices.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp has doubled the number of participants in a group call — both video and audio. This means you can start a conversation with 7 other friends on WhatsApp either on voice or video. The feature was rolled out to both Android and iOS users with the growing dependence on video conferencing tools.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many of us are isolated from friends and family. As a result, we see that people all over the world are turning to voice and video calling on WhatsApp more than ever before. Over the last month, people on average are spending over 15 billion minutes talking each day on WhatsApp calls, well above a typical day before the pandemic,” said WhatsApp in a statement. WhatsApp also ensured that voice and video calls are end-to-end encrypted even with higher participant limits.

Now, in the latest Android beta version of the app, v2.20.143, the WABetaInfo has spotted that on the primary registration screen, the app asks users to switch to Wi-Fi. As per the screenshot, it says, “Without Wi-Fi, logging in may be slow, and may use a large amount of your data plan.”

Although the reason for the requirement of Wi-Fi hasn’t been stated for using the multi-device feature, the report says that it could be because WhatsApp needs to transfer data — including chat history — to the other device.

Besides this, the report also sheds some light on how the multi-device feature will work. As per the report, once this feature is rolled out and activated, all your devices that are logged in with that account will receive a message. Further, all the previous actions such as starring a message, archiving of chats will also be in sync across all devices.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp has doubled the number of participants in a group call — both video and audio. This means you can start a conversation with 7 other friends on WhatsApp either on voice or video. The feature was rolled out to both Android and iOS users with the growing dependence on video conferencing tools.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that many of us are isolated from friends and family. As a result, we see that people all over the world are turning to voice and video calling on WhatsApp more than ever before. Over the last month, people on average are spending over 15 billion minutes talking each day on WhatsApp calls, well above a typical day before the pandemic,” said WhatsApp in a statement. WhatsApp also ensured that voice and video calls are end-to-end encrypted even with higher participant limits.