Tag: facebook messenger

Facebook Messenger To Soon Introduce ‘Unsend’ Message Feature

Ever had moments when you sent a message to your friend or your ex and regretted it? Well, we all have. Facebook messenger is going to fix that for you with it’s new unsend feature. You will now get a window of 10 minutes to delete your message. This feature has been written about in the “coming soon” section in the release notes of Messenger on iOS. The note states that if someone has accidentally sent the wrong photo, incorrect information or message in the wrong thread, they can delete the message in the next ten minutes. WhatsApp also has a similar feature but the message can be deleted in a time frame of an hour and also has to be an unread message. Even though the 10 minute window does not seem much but it is still a great feature to have.

Also Read: Hackers Post Private Messages Of More Than 81,000 Facebook Accounts Online

Facebook’s New Move

It is also well known that the top brass in Facebook have had the unsend feature for a long time. What prompted Facebook to add this feature for regular users is unclear. However, there have been speculations that it is being added after the controversy of Facebook deleting messages sent by CEO Mark Zuckerberg from other people’s inboxes. Many had considered this act to be a breach of trust at the time. It will be interesting to see if the receiver of the message gets a “message deleted” notification or not. WhatsApp shows a similar notification at the moment.

For the uninitiated, Facebook Messenger is a messaging application that is free to use and allows users to send and receive messages, calls, video calls and so on via the internet. It also allows one to send photographs and videos to their friends and family once they are connected through Facebook. WhatsApp, which is also a messaging application, is also owned by Facebook.

November 8, 2018
Top Instant Messaging Apps For Android
Not a long time ago, we used to send wishes through postcards, which was later replaced by SMS. However, the rise of the internet has made SMS services redundant. Instant messengers have evolved into more than just text messaging mediums. Users can do things like international video calling to sending money, all in one single app. While these apps are free to use, the internet is the only prerequisite.

The instant messengers help for all kind of stuff. From making an international video call to sharing a presentation. However, usually, the only requirement of these apps is the internet. Almost all the instant messengers work fine in either cellular data or a Wi-Fi network. So, here are the top three instant messengers available for Android. However, these three apps are universally compatible, which means they work fine on iOS as well.

WhatsApp

Without a doubt, WhatsApp has become the most famous instant messaging apps in the world. While there are a few anomalies here and there, almost everyone with a smartphone has WhatsApp nowadays. The free to use business model with no in-app ads make this one of the best messengers in the business. One can create groups and add up to 256 members.

Pros:
- Free to use
- Ad-free user experience
- Free voice and video calls
- Simple UI
- WhatsApp Pay
Cons:
- Requires an active SIM card for activation
Facebook Messenger

The Facebook Messenger was something that was forced on to us. Facebook made the Messenger a standalone app and removed the option of chat from its main app. Hence, anyone with a Facebook app, had to move on to the Facebook Messenger as well. But, it has turned out to be a great messaging app, especially for people extremely active on Facebook. However, it has the option of replacing the standard SMS app as well.

The messenger has two sections, where it differentiates the messages and the active users. The active users are highlighted using a green dot. One can also initiate voice and video calls with a single touch of a button.

Pros:
- Free to use
- Material UI
- Free voice and video calls
Cons:
- In-app ads
- App consumes a lot of space
- Complex user experience
Hike

This is also an interesting instant messenger. Though it resembles WhatsApp, it has its own added advantage. The app comes with a hidden mode, where users can hide their secrete chats. This app also offers free stickers, which can be used instead of words to express a certain feeling. In fact, the app has stickers based on Indian celebrities and their famous dialogues as well.

Pros:
- Groups chat with up to 1000 members
- UPI based Hike wallet
- Gift packs
Cons:
- Small user base
- In-app ads
[poll id=”60″]
March 8, 2018
Messenger Lite For Android Launched In US, Canada And Other Countries

Facebook has launched the ‘Lite’ version of its data inhaling app, Messenger for Facebook in the US, UK, Canada and Ireland. The app is an Android-only app so far and was primarily targeted at people who live in areas where the internet isn’t equipped enough to handle the data intensive tasks of the regular Messenger app. But, the expansion of the app to Facebook’s top developed markets mean that people who want to save data charges like teenagers can take advantage of the app. However, Facebook has no plans as of now to introduce the app for iOS devices.

We’re excited to bring Messenger Lite to Android users in four new markets, including Canada, Ireland, the U.K. and the U.S. Messenger Lite is a slimmed-down version of Messenger that offers the core features of the app, while giving everyone the opportunity to stay connected to their friends and family, regardless of device or quality of internet connectivity.

Lead by India and Brazil in terms of downloads, the Messenger Lite was first introduced in October 2016 in five countries before its near global expansion in April. As mentioned earlier, this rollout could be beneficial for Facebook as potential low data costs could help the company attract teenagers who are active on the social media platform and want to stay in touch at all times. The Messenger Lite app could help them make full use of the app’s core features while skimming out on the data charges.

One of the main reasons cited by Facebook to introduce Messenger Lite was that there are over a billion people who still don’t have access to high speed 3G or 4G network. This move to bring the Lite app in developed markets with proven high speed internet means that the company can now target people who like to cut costs but, not necessarily like to give up using their phones for chatting.

October 3, 2017
Here’s Why Twitter is Breaking Free From the 140-Character Restriction

Twitter had added direct messaging service (DMS) but it was always restricted to just 140-characters. Now, frequent Twitter users will be happy to know that the social network is finally putting an end to the restriction, and making it 10,000 characters as opposed to just 140. Thus DMS will function like any other regular instant messaging service, effective this July.

In a rather smart move, they announced:

We’ve done a lot to improve Direct Messages over the past year and have much more exciting work on the horizon. One change coming in July that we want to make you aware of now (and first!) is the removal of the 140 character limit in Direct Messages.

It is a welcoming change as having a limit over DMS was more of a nuisance than a boon. However, while the DMS will no longer have a restriction, public tweets will continue to be within the 140 character limit.

This comes as a great relief to the social networking giant because it might finally give them a chance to compete with other instant messaging services like WhatsApp and Facebook and even add to their user base.

In a short span of time, Facebook’s standalone app, Messenger has grown immensely. Recently Facebook announced that the Messenger service already has a staggering 700 Million monthly active user base. It added a 100 Million users in the past three months. While Facebook’s new app’s numbers are growing at an unfathomable rate, Twitter is currently stuck at a mere 302 Million Active users. Back in April, even WhatsApp had announced that it had crossed the 800 Million monthly active user mark.

This change might give Twitter a fair chance to compete. Also, according to Forbes, people spend 86% of their Twitter time via smart phones, this will therefore, be further enhanced as people will now be able to have long chats on the social handle, without even needing to ‘follow’ one another. Naturally, this will increase Twitter’s fortunes as well.

Along with this, Twitter is planning a few other updates and changes that will further improve the performance of the site. We hope to hear more good news soon. Watch this space for more.

June 12, 2015
WhatsApp Will Soon Allow You To Make Purchases And Download Apps

When Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion last year, we weren’t sure how the social media giant would make use of the messaging app. However, at the F8 conference 2015, Facebook announced a new Business for Messenger initiative, through which the company might be able to make some profit. According to this initiative, Business for its Messenger app will give users the choice to install apps and make purchases with the Facebook Messenger app itself.

The company said that they would include some of the features of Facebook Messenger and experiment with it on WhatsApp, to promote business to consumer communications that could be paid up by marketers.

[quote text_size=”small” author=”David Wehner” author_title=”Facebook’s Chief Financial Officer”]

We think that enabling that [business to consumer] messaging has an excellent business potential for us. As we learn those things, I think there are going to be opportunities to bring some of those things to WhatsApp, but that’s more longer-term than the near-term.

[/quote]

Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg says that once WhatsApp reaches 1 billion users, will business through the messaging app is meaningful. For now, WhatsApp has got around 800 million users. After the $22 billion acquisition by Facebook, WhatsApp Chief Jan Koum said that the messaging app will be ad-free.

Currently, Facebook is working with more business partners and will soon begin Business for its Messenger app.

May 19, 2015
Facebook Includes Nokia HERE Maps on Messenger, Instagram Ahead of Official Buyout

HERE maps, previously known as Ovi Maps or Nokia Maps, is an alternative of Google Maps and Apple Maps service. Nokia was in talks with buyers to sell out its maps unit, but seems like Facebook has inked a deal to power maps on its various platforms.

The social networking site is presently using Here maps on the mobile version of its website, and on other applications like Facebook Messenger and Instagram. The Facebook spokesperson confirmed the same through statement –

We are testing Nokia HERE maps across Facebook to give us more control and flexibility in delivering a consistent maps experience.

Nokia confirmed that it is seeking buyers to sell out its $2 billion Here map. The Finnish tech brand spent $8.1 billion to buy Chicago-based digital map maker, Navteq, in an effort to capitalize its market for mobile search, but the buy-out deemed unprofitable. Hence, in April, Nokia roped in the heavyweights of technology including Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Alibaba Group, etc. to sell its maps business. According to Techcrunch, one of those potential buyers has already sealed a deal with Nokia.

For now, Facebook has not given any details about its availability on iOS.

May 5, 2015
With this New Feature, Facebook Messenger is Now Ready to Take on Skype

Voice-Calling within the app is a recent trend every established and emerging messaging software company is following. Recently, Facebook joined the drift and updated its Messenger service to enable voice-calling in the app. Now users can talk face-to-face with their friends anywhere through Facebook.

Initiating the voice chat service is a child’s play, and users just have to tap on the video icon in the top right corner of the screen to pop up a voice call. The service is available for iOS and Android users as of now. Countries that will be able to access this feature are Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the US and Uruguay. The tool will soon arrive in other countries “over the coming months.”

The standard messaging service on Messenger still exists. Users can anytime stop a voice call and get back to the customary messaging platform and vice-versa. The company claims that there are over 600 million active users of its Messenger app, and the voice-calling tool will help them with real-time video communication.

Facebook’s Messenger platform is on a development spree. Previously, it added the ability to send money to friends via Messenger, which was followed by the release of Messenger platform for Developers to help people connect with businesses.

Check out the video below for a detailed description of voice-calling on Messenger:

April 28, 2015
Facebook Launches WhatsApp Web-like Desktop Version of the Messenger

Facebook has launched a desktop based chat interface for its Facebook Messenger users worldwide. It is available right now for its English users, with more languages to follow in the next few weeks. It is accessible at Messenger.com where users can chat with their friends from their Web browser. A user would require a Facebook account to access the service.

Just like Whatsapp for Web, the Messenger site features the list of chat threads on the left with a large white chat interface on the right. Most of the mobile app features can be accessed here, like audio and video calls, photos and stickers.

At present, Messenger for Web lacks the ability to send photos, audio messages, or use the new Messenger platform content sharing apps. But, Facebook can add those features later as the service matures. Users also have an option of enabling a desktop notification; small pop-up is overlayed on the computer screen the alerts the users for incoming messages.

So how is the new service different than the regular Facebook chat box? Well, Facebook says Messenger.com could become an instant hit among busy users, who just use Facebook to talk with their friends and are looking to avoid the social content of the main site, like wall posts or notifications.

April 9, 2015
Apple Might Play Spoilsport to Facebook’s Audacious Plans For Messenger

At the Facebook F8 developers conference recently, the social media powerhouse announced a slew of new updates for the Messenger app to make it a formidable messaging tool. The addition of third party apps to the ecosystem is the most prominent upgrade to the new Messenger platform. But Apple might prove a major hindrance to Facebook’s plans.

Facebook inducted third party apps on its Messenger platform to make it a more powerful messaging tool.

Apple, the makers of iOS devices, have strict policies in place for apps on its App Store. Section 2.25 of the App Store Review Guidelines, states, “Apps that display Apps other than your own for purchase or promotion in a manner similar to or confusing with the App Store will be rejected.” The addition of support for third party apps on the Messenger platform puts it directly in conflict with the above app store policy.

The gist of the policy is that Apple doesn’t allow apps to set up their own app store on their ecosystem. If the policy is enforced against the Messenger platform, it will be a major downer for Facebook. As of now Apple has given no indication about its policy towards the new messaging platform. But we might get to hear something soon as Apple might still be studying the situation. Considering the massive market for Apple devices, Facebook is likely to get a deal sorted out to prevent a rejection from the App store.

March 27, 2015
Facebook Gives an Adrenaline Boost To Messenger With Third-Party Apps

At Facebook’s F8 Developer conference yesterday, the CEO of the company Mark Zuckerberg took the stage to announce the future of its Messenger Platform. The company recently spun off Messenger into its own independent app. Messenger will now become a superpowered messaging app that can become the most formidable competitor in the market.

Mark Zuckerberg spoke about the new service at the conference –

It’s a new platform that developers can use to build apps that help people connect.

Facebook introduced 40 new apps for the Messenger Platform. These apps come within the Messenger service and adds up to the vast ecosystem of apps on Android and iOS. The newly developed tools allow users to interact with businesses like online retail brands, where they can place their order directly and get details about the order through chat. Also, you would be able to send messages to the Messenger app store to download an application. Facebook can use its reach and introduce a Messenger tab on major websites to speak directly with businesses or content creators. By opening up Facebook Messenger platform, the social networking platform has given the third-party apps access to the millions of Facebook users. Besides, it has made Facebook Messenger a strong contender among other messaging platforms like WeChat and Line, who are all-round services that offer for gaming, e-commerce, and of course, communication. The new platform is said to be open for all the developers, but the company has already finalised 40 launch partners. Some of them includes ESPN, Imgur, The Weather Channel, and Giphy.

A while back, Facebook detached Messenger from its smartphone app and asked the users to install the new independent app. The decision by the social networking giant led to mass disapproval at that time, but it has now begun to make sense. Facebook was preparing its user-base to explore the new developments of the Messenger store and its scope for business communication.

Th company has been continuously building up its Messenger platform. Few days back, Facebook announced a new payment feature that allows you to send money via instant message. Messaging app will soon become the center of future communication and might replace tools like e-mails and become our primary mode of communication. Facebook also said that Messengers new features can act as a model for WhatsApp in the future. The future of messaging apps looks great.

March 26, 2015
Facebook Probably Planning a New Caller-ID and Call Blocking App Called “Phone”

Facebook might have accidentally popped a small glance at the next major app coming from its stable. A message popped up on the Android app of some Facebook users which gave an indication that the social media giant is working on a new app called “Phone.”

The feature popped out with a FB-only tag and showed a dialer icon. However, on tapping the icon, it led to a ‘no page found’ error. It is said that the feature is still in works and the link might have accidentally showed up in the users feed. A report from Android Police stated that the Phone button seems like a replacement for a dialer and will automatically block spam calls and show detailed information about the incoming calls.

Whatsapp, which was acquired by Facebook last year, has also rolled out their version of the calling feature that allows you to make voice calls to one another using data connection or WiFi data. As of now, the only problem Whatsapp may be facing regarding the calling feature is the lag-time in between a call.

Facebook has already rolled out voice calling feature on Messenger. Android and iOS users in can call anyone through this app, consuming only cellular or WiFi data. The feature came to India last year. Now we hope Facebook doesn’t force us to download a whole new app to clutter our devices again. Instead they can include the feature in their existing app like Whatsapp did with their latest update.

March 21, 2015
Facebook’s New Update Lets You To Put Stickers On Pictures From Your Phone

From Thursday onwards, Facebook will be introducing updates that would allow you to add stickers to your photos from Facebook’s mobile app on iOS and Android devices.

While uploading a new photo, you will be able to access the new sticker icon with the updated Facebook app. This icon will offer a huge variety of stickers. Once the sticker (or multiple stickers) is added, you are free to choose as to where to position the sticker, resize it or rotate it. You of course have the option to delete the stickers before the photo is finally uploaded.

You can also add captions, and even apply the stickers before the shot is taken with the app’s built-in camera access feature. Images already present in your image gallery can be decorated as well, and there is no limit to how many stickers can be applied to one image.

Facebook had launched the sticker app called ‘Stickers for Messenger’ in December for Android and iOS devices. However, this app required the Facebook Messenger app to send images to Facebook friends.

This new feature may suggest that Facebook is now targeting mobile users more than desktop users. 85% of its users access the website via mobile, and one-third of its total users access the site exclusively on mobiles. Facebook’s revenue rose to $2.5 billion last quarter, thanks, in part, to mobile advertising. Stickers for photos look like an enjoyable feature and will be really appreciated by the users.

February 20, 2015