Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared at the F8 Developer's Conference on Wednesday, where he revealed a great deal of information about where the social networking giant would be going in the near future. But the most interesting piece of news was the company's future plans for its Messenger app.
Zuckerberg described the updated version of Messenger as "an ecosystem that can now be used to create and share content in line and independent of the News Feed," The Verge reported. Facebook users will be able to make purchases inside the app, as well as download a series of third-party apps that will provide a variety of options for messaging.
While Facebook did just release a developer's kit for any company that wishes to use Messenger in the near future, the company already has more than 40 third-party messenger apps available for download. So far, the apps fit into one of two categories:
- Messenger Content Apps: These will let users place anything from animated gifs to special effects to videos into their messages, providing users with more variety at their fingertips than ever before. Facebook currently has contracts with ESPN, Bitmoji, JibJab, Legend, Ultratest, Ditty, Giphy, FlipLip, ClipDis, Memes, PicCollage, Kanvas, and more.
- Customer-to-Business Chat Apps: Need to talk to someone at your favorite store? Now you can do so. Facebook is working with a few chains to use Messenger as a way to communicate with employees about their order. Customers can also request companies to send them shipping info and confirmation via Facebook message, rather than flooding their email with updates. Companies who use the Facebook Messenger system would have an easier time sending notifications to customers, since most smartphone users have the Facebook messenger app installed. Facebook currently has contracts with Zulily and Everlane, and hopes to develop more in the near future.
Developers can download the Facebook Messenger Developer's Kit here.
