Facebook updates Messenger with instant video sending and 'Big Likes'
Amid the constantly evolving landscape that is mobile messaging, Facebook on Thursday added two new features -- video messaging and bigger "thumbs ups" -- to its Messenger iOS app to help it stand apart from the crowd.
The biggest addition to Facebook Messenger version 6.0 is an option to film and send in-line video messages to friends with a "tap-and-hold" gesture.
Prior to today's update, Messenger limited users to sending in-app pictures and pre-recorded videos stored in the iOS Camera Roll, but now tapping and holding on the camera icon allows for on-the-fly recording. Videos are restricted to 15 seconds, which is also the limit for Instagram videos.
In practice, the feature defaults to the front-facing camera for a 15-second selfie, adding yet another layer to users' messaging options.
Apple's forthcoming iOS 8 mobile operating system will feature a similar capability that supports recording of both video and audio clips in the first-party Messages app. Media can be recorded and sent to friends directly from the message screen without having to leave the app via a tap-and-hold UI and a new microphone icon.
The second feature packed into Messenger is "Big Likes," which basically plops in a huge "thumbs up" when you "really, really like something." More of a tweak than a new addition, Big Likes offers a more granular way for users to express their feelings.
Facebook Messenger is available as a free 35.4MB download from the App Store.
The biggest addition to Facebook Messenger version 6.0 is an option to film and send in-line video messages to friends with a "tap-and-hold" gesture.
Prior to today's update, Messenger limited users to sending in-app pictures and pre-recorded videos stored in the iOS Camera Roll, but now tapping and holding on the camera icon allows for on-the-fly recording. Videos are restricted to 15 seconds, which is also the limit for Instagram videos.
In practice, the feature defaults to the front-facing camera for a 15-second selfie, adding yet another layer to users' messaging options.
Apple's forthcoming iOS 8 mobile operating system will feature a similar capability that supports recording of both video and audio clips in the first-party Messages app. Media can be recorded and sent to friends directly from the message screen without having to leave the app via a tap-and-hold UI and a new microphone icon.
The second feature packed into Messenger is "Big Likes," which basically plops in a huge "thumbs up" when you "really, really like something." More of a tweak than a new addition, Big Likes offers a more granular way for users to express their feelings.
Facebook Messenger is available as a free 35.4MB download from the App Store.
Comments
> help it stand apart from the crowd <
What crowd?
I dumped facebook the second they stopped me being able to use the messenger function within the main app. I was planning to leave anyway and that was the last little push that I needed.
Tap and hold? Hmm... wonder where they got that. Oh, right, their Snapchat acquisition.
Saarek: You shouldn't have updated to version 10. I have been avoiding it for that reason. Messaging still works in Facebook v9.0.