Facebook, the largest social networking company, is boosting its presence in the messaging category with two new additions to the iOS version of the Messenger app. The social network has taken a page from Snapchat in bringing an instant video messaging feature to Facebook Messenger app on Apple's iOS platform. The feature is also rolling out to Android users of the app around the world.
With Messenger version 6.0, users can shoot and send small videos to friends without leaving the app. Facebook already allows users to send pre-recorded videos and use split-screen selfie camera within the app. The new addition is to keep up its pace in the highly competitive race to dominate the messaging platform. The videos are restricted to 15 seconds, which is also the limit for Instagram videos.
The new instant video messaging feature on Messenger defaults to the front facing camera, but can be switched to the rear view to show friends what you are seeing. Users must tap and hold the camera button to shoot instant video messages that can be sent to the contact.
The new feature comes just days after Facebook accidently listed its upcoming Snapchat rival SlingShot in some international App Stores. But the error was rectified soon enough and it was pulled off. Facebook has been beefing up its efforts in the messaging arena of late. The company announced the acquisition of the popular instant messaging app, WhatsApp for $16 billion earlier this year. In April, the company also announced mandatory installation of Messenger app to chat with Facebook friends online.
In addition to the instant video messaging feature, Facebook also introduced "Big Likes," which the company described as the gesture "when you really, really like something." The big likes in the Messenger chat is basically a huge thumbs up icon. Users can tap and hold the existing blue colored thumbs up icon from the symbols area and see the bigger like symbol in the chat window.
The updated iOS app is available on Apple App Store, while the Facebook Messenger for Android is currently being rolled out.
