X, the popular social media network formerly known as Twitter, is making big strides in expanding its audio and video calling capabilities. What was once a feature exclusively available to Premium subscribers, now becomes accessible to all users on the platform. This move aligns with X’s ambition to transform into an “everything app,” a vision passionately advocated by none other than Elon Musk himself.
The announcement of this expansion was made by Enrique Barragan, an engineer at X, who took to the platform to share the news. Barragan also referenced Elon Musk’s earlier promise that this feature would be made available to all users once it reached a certain level of robustness. Now, it seems that X has achieved that milestone and is ready to bring audio and video calling to the masses.
Previously, audio and video calls were introduced for iOS users last year, followed by Android users. However, only paying subscribers had the privilege of utilizing these features. With the recent development, all users can now enjoy the convenience and connectivity that audio and video calls offer.
So, how does it work? According to X’s official support page, users can control their audio and video calling options from the Direct Messages settings. By default, users can receive calls from accounts they follow or have in their address book, provided they grant X access to their address book. However, in order to initiate a call with another user, both parties must have had at least one prior interaction through X’s Direct Messages (DMs).
While this may seem restrictive at first glance, it doesn’t mean that you cannot receive calls from anyone on the platform. If you’re feeling adventurous and open to connecting with new people, you can enable the option to receive calls from everyone. However, it is advisable to activate the new “Enhanced call privacy” setting if you choose this route. This setting ensures that your IP address remains hidden from the individuals you call or receive calls from. In fact, it’s a good idea to enable this option regardless of your calling preferences, as it adds an extra layer of privacy and security to your X experience.
It’s important to note that the updated calling features are not immediately available to all users. X is gradually rolling them out, likely in batches, and it seems that the features are automatically enabled without any prompt. If you prefer not to make or receive calls on X, you can simply log into the app and navigate to your Direct Message settings to disable the feature.
With this expansion of audio and video calling capabilities, X is taking a significant step towards becoming a comprehensive platform that caters to various communication needs. Elon Musk’s vision of an “everything app” is steadily materializing, as X continues to enhance its offerings and provide users with more ways to connect and engage with one another. So, whether you’re catching up with friends, collaborating on a project, or simply exploring new connections, X’s audio and video calling feature ensures that you can stay connected in a seamless and convenient manner.
As X continues to evolve and expand its capabilities, it’s clear that the platform is committed to providing its users with a holistic social media experience. The future holds exciting possibilities for X, and users can look forward to even more innovative features that further enhance their digital interactions. So, embrace the power of audio and video calling on X, and unlock a world of connection and communication at your fingertips.
