Recent Facebook Messenger app update means users can now chat with friends and family across platforms, plus other new interactive features.
By Sarah Ping
Last week, Facebook Messenger users worldwide saw the app’s drastic logo change. From its usual light blue to the Instagram-esque ombre hues of purples and pinks, the colours also appear in the chat’s default settings. Deemed by Facebook as the future of messaging, the brand new look seems set to remain a permanent feature.
Introduction of Cross-App Communication
With over a billion users worldwide, Messenger’s latest update creates a new way to connect users across platforms. Their new cross-app communication with Instagram means that Messenger users can talk and interact with Instagram users. In other words, neither users have to leave their respective apps to chat.
This comes as part of Mark Zuckerberg’s series of updates throughout September and October. Features like private messaging, stories and small groups are “by far the fastest growing areas of online communication” writes Zuckerberg in his letter on a more privacy-focused version of Facebook.
The lengthy letter also outlines plans to enable users to “communicate across networks easily and securely” on any Facebook-owned apps.
The function will be “rolled out to most users in North America soon”, writes Stan Chudnovsky, Facebook’s Head of Messenger, in his blog. However, no annoucement of a UK release date yet.
Greater Interaction: New Selfie Stickers & More Emoji Reactions
On top of a new look, the app also includes new reaction features to messages. Users can now choose from a wide range of emojis that extends the existing ones offered today.
Messenger have also announced new selfie stickers for users to play with. This comes as “10 million people customize their conversations every day”, writes Chudnovsky. The new selfie stickers mean user’s selfies can be combined with various reaction filters. Therefore, allowing users a more interactive way to express themselves online.