Popular messaging service Whatsapp now offers the option of making internet phone calls with its iOS version.
But what are the pros and cons? And is this something you really need?
One thing is for sure - adding voice over internet protocol (VoIP) means more and more users will soon have the option of making video calls, along with all the other ways Whatsapp lets people stay in touch.
The service will be especially attractive for countries and people who don't have flat-rate contracts for mobile phone service, since the video phone calls will not run up minute-by-minute charges.
VoIP uses the smartphone's data connection, and on one calculation, by German telecommunications website Teltarif.de, uses a little less than 1 megabyte per minute.
But that rate could quickly max out plans that only allow smaller monthly data volumes, which could lead to extra costs for additional volume once those limits are surpassed.
Unlike regular phone calls, VoIP calls are made up of data packets transferred over the internet and through the provider's routers.
In the case of Whatsapp, that means Facebook.
