Apple is allowing users with FaceTime to add as many as 32 friends within a call, in response to popular demand for group apps.

Crowding the house

Following the popularity of Houseparty, Apple is unleashing the power of group video chat, thanks to the company’s ability to undertake the technical overhead of so many streams.

Houseparty allowed up to eight people to stream in unison. Soon over 1 million users tuned in, leading to more features for FaceTime.

Now FaceTime’s user interface for group chat will consist of tiles for every participants. When someone speaks, the corresponding tile will automatically enlarge and take centre stage.

Proven popularity

Houseparty sits at #10 on the App Store for video chat with a rating of 4.4 stars, and boasts a user base at more than 25 million downloads.

Remaining in the top-200 on the App Store, it's tough to say if FaceTime’s new additions will absorb most of the established userbase.

The next iOS 12 update is expected to rollout sometime around September and will include group chat, among whatever else Apple is focusing on next.

What do you think about the impending updating? Are you in need of group chats of that size? Let us know in our comments below.