Here Is Everything About Facebook's New App Called, CATCHUP!

Facebook's Research & Development department has made a new application called CatchUp which allows its users to stay connected with friends & families. This application is currently accessible in US market only and soon will be launches worldwide. This app is specially for calling purposes that currently enables 8 people to to make conference call in one simple tap. 

Though there are many apps that enables group calling, including facebook's whatsapp messenger but what makes CatchUp unique is that users can mark themselves available for calls through a flag. Raised flag denotes that user is available to take calls, otherwise not. Seems like a feature of houseparty app which has been merged into a group calling app? Houseparty has a similar feature that allows users to join video calling only if it shows available. Facebook has denied that they got  an idea to make this new app long time back ,before the lockdown and covid19 thing happened. Team had been already working on its development, though they expedite the process to launch this app at this time of lockdown which is quite appropriate for the launch of any such utility apps.

CatchUp shows users as “Ready to Talk” in the top section of its homescreen, with offline users and other contacts listed below. Facebook explains the app’s intention is to address one of the key reasons people no longer make phone calls — they don’t know when someone has time to talk and they don’t want to interrupt them. Meanwhile, calls that can’t be answered go to voicemails that recipients don’t bother checking, which forces communication to go through text messaging or chat apps instead. And while video chats are on the rise, a phone call is often more convenient as users aren’t always video-ready or they’re trying to multi-task, not sit in front of a screen.

CatchUp approaches the problem of not knowing if a phone call would bother someone by allowing you to see who is ready and able to talk as soon as you launch the app. Users can also create and join groups of friends, family, and mutual contacts in the app, as you can with other chat apps. Or they can place 1-on-1 calls as an alternative to using the phone.

Placing a call is simple as well. It’s just a one-button tap — not a complicated process of calling contacts, then “merging” calls as you do on your smartphone’s Phone app.

Users will have to download the app, but they won’t need to have an existing Facebook account — or an account with any Facebook-owned companies. Plus, the app’s simplified user interface could make it easier for older users, like grandma and grandpa, to navigate. It’s really just a one-screen experience with a toggle button to become “available” to talk.

The app also includes privacy features that allow you to configure which contacts can join your 1-on-1 and group calls. Facebook's NPE Team has launched other few apps like meme creator Whale, conversational app Bump, music app Aux, video app Hobbi, couples app Tuned, and Apple Watch app Kit.

CatchUp is currently being tested in the U.S. for a limited time on iOS and Android devices.