WhatsApp 'audio hangouts' are now open to group chats of any size

WhatsApp has expanded its real-time voice chat feature, allowing group chats of any size for simultaneous audio conversations without individual ripples. Unlike traditional group calls that send ripples through each member, this new feature lets everyone participate freely. It offers a flexible interface, minimizing screen disruption, making it ideal for monitoring new messages or notifications. Meta introduced the feature in 2023 with limits up to 256 participants but now supports groups as large as 1,024, highlighting potential challenges with managing such extensive communication networks.