The new calling service branded ‘WeChat Out’ has the ability to call mobile phones and landlines from within the WeChat app, allowing users to easily connect with family and friends across countries.
WeChat Out is different from the existing calling options inside WeChat (voice and video) because it allows for calls to actual phone numbers (mobile and landline) rather than just to fellow WeChat users.
WeChat which is owned by Chinese Internet giant Tencent, is gifting its users an initial $0.99 in credit, and the company says it’s also giving away 100 minutes of free calls to most numbers around the globe, although it hasn’t revealed the cost of calls once that freebie has been eaten up.
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WeChat Out now appears as a new option in the expandable menu when users click the ‘+’ symbol at the top right of the home screen.
The feature is currently only available in the U.S., Hong Kong, and India, but it will roll out to other countries and regions over time.