Facebook has upgraded its popular standalone Messenger app for iOS and Android allowing users to connect with friends out of their virtual "friends list." The app is now much faster and lighter.
Facebook is making an effort to stand by its mission to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. The latest update announced Wednesday, allows users to connect via phone numbers even if the recipient is not in the user's friends list. This feature makes the mobile app a direct competitor to other instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, SnapChat or the most recently expanded BBM.
Facebook Messenger app is a standalone mobile application for users who can connect with friends on the social site. But with the latest update, users can send messages to anyone, even those without a Facebook account and those who are not friends on the social network. This gives the liberty of sending a message to any user and saves the sender an SMS charge. Although this feature is seen in other messaging services, but the integration can help Facebook regain some of its lost teenage users.
The new Messenger app is much faster and allows users to see which of their Facebook friends are using the messaging service. A blue icon appears next to the names of people who have downloaded the Messenger, and they will get a new message notification instantly.
The overall interface of the app is simple. By simply swiping to the right or left, users can switch between recent conversations, contacts, and settings, Facebook said in its Wednesday's blog.
The new Messenger app is available for free on App Store and Google Play. If you cannot find the latest features in your app then it is mainly because Facebook has just begun rolling out the updates. You should get it soon.
