In a move set to shake up the social media landscape, Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has made a significant update.
Users can now enjoy video and phone calls directly within the platform, without the need for a premium subscription or sharing personal phone numbers. This development marks a bold step towards enhancing user connectivity and interaction on the platform.
The announcement came from Enrique Barragan, an X engineer, who unveiled the news on the platform itself. Barragan stated, “we’re slowly rolling out audio and video calling to non-premium users, try it out! Now you can also choose allow calls from everyone,” signaling a democratization of communication tools within the platform.
However, there are some limitations to this new feature. Users can only receive calls from accounts they follow or have in their address book. Moreover, both parties must have interacted via direct messages at least once to connect via a call. Nevertheless, users have the flexibility to adjust their settings, allowing calls from anyone on the platform if desired.
This move positions X in direct competition with other communication giants, notably Meta’s WhatsApp. By offering free calling features, X aims to attract more users and increase engagement on its platform.
Previously, X had introduced this feature exclusively to iOS users with a premium subscription. However, the recent decision to extend this functionality to all users, including Android users, reflects X’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
For those eager to utilize this new feature, the process is simple:
- Open the X app on your Android or iOS smartphone and navigate to the direct message section.
- Click on the phone icon and select either ‘Audio Call’ or ‘Video Call’ to initiate a conversation. The recipient will receive a notification prompting them to join the call.
- Users can customize their call settings by accessing the ‘Settings’ option in the top right corner, allowing for greater control over their communication preferences.
we’re slowly rolling out audio and video calling to non premium users, try it out! now you can also choose allow calls from everyone https://t.co/LLH1PwiIg2 pic.twitter.com/LH3HMsAXnv
— Enrique (@enriquebrgn) February 23, 2024
By Noel Nortei
