Privacy-focused messaging app Signal is adding new features to video calls, including links, reactions, and call tabs, as a replacement for Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.
The highlight of the update is the new “Calls” tab, which allows you to make new calls, manage call links, and check call history.
Tabs allow you to create call links, allowing you to share links with people, similar to the functionality of Meet, Zoom, and Teams, rather than creating groups. Links are reusable, so they can be used for repeat meetings as well.
It also comes with common management features like naming phones, manually allowing people to join meetings, and the ability to kick, remove, and block them. Participants can line up to ask questions via a Meet-like raise hand feature.
Those using Signal’s desktop app can switch between grid, sidebar, or presenter views.
Signal introduced encrypted group video calling in 2020 and now supports groups of up to 50 people. Rival WhatsApp began allowing people to share call links in 2022, adding screen sharing, speaker spotlight and support for 32-person video calls in June this year.
“Video calls have become a new and common meeting place for organizations, workplaces and friend groups around the world. As communication norms change, Signal’s commitment to a private place to communicate remains the same. To improve Signal calling overall, we’ve spent the last few months building out some welcome improvements,” the company said in a blog post.
Signal is rolling out this feature to iOS, Android, and desktop apps.
