X (Formerly Twitter) Expands Audio and Video Calling Feature to All Users
In a significant move, social media platform X, previously known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk, has extended its audio and video calling feature to all users. Previously available only to X Premium subscribers, the feature now allows all users to make calls without having to provide their phone numbers. This expansion is expected to intensify competition with rival platforms, including Meta’s WhatsApp.
Enrique Barragan, an X engineer, announced the development on the platform, stating, “We’re slowly rolling out audio and video calling to non-premium users, try it out! Now you can also choose to allow calls from everyone.”
While users can now receive calls without entering their phone numbers, certain restrictions remain. Users can only receive calls from accounts they follow or have in their address book. Additionally, the two accounts must have interacted via direct message (DM) at least once to connect via a call. However, users can customize their settings to expand the list of callers beyond those they follow, allowing calls from anyone on the platform.
It’s worth noting that X had initially introduced this feature exclusively to iOS users with a valid X Premium subscription. The recent expansion to Android users, regardless of subscription status, marks a strategic move to enhance user engagement on the platform.
To make calls on X, users can navigate to the DM section, click on the phone icon, and choose between ‘Audio Call’ or ‘Video Call’ to initiate a conversation. Recipients receive notifications about incoming calls, fostering seamless communication on the platform.
