Facebook Gives Its Messenger App Video Calling Capabilities
Facebook’s Messenger app just got a new feature: video calling. If you want to have a face-to-face conversion with someone, you can have it!
The Messenger app already provides support for messaging and audio calling. But let’s say you have some big news and text or audio calls won’t do because you have to see the other person’s face when you deliver the big news. By giving Messenger video calling capabilities, Facebook just made it possible for you to see the person on the other end of the line.
“Video calling will expand Messenger’s real-time communication features, enabling the more than 600 million people who use Messenger every month to reach others wherever they are, from anywhere. It’s fast, reliable and high quality,” explained Stan Chudnovsky, Head of Product for Messenger and Param Reddy, Engineering Manager.
To initiate a video call you must tap the video icon from the upper right hand corner on your mobile’s screen. Video calls are free but they use your WiFi or data connection (you may be charged for data if you aren’t on WiFi). You can make video calls from an iOS or Android mobile to another iOS or Android mobile phone.
Facebook rolled out the new video calling feature for Messenger users on iOS and Android in the following regions: Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the US and Uruguay.
Support for more regions is coming soon.
UPDATE, May 20, 2015: The video calling feature started to roll out to all regions around the world.
In related news...
Back in March, Facebook implement a payments in Messenger feature that lets users send and receive money. To send money to a friend, you need to start a message, tap the $ icon, specify an amount, tap the Pay button, and then enter your debit card details. To receive money, you have to open a conversation, tap Add Card, and enter your debit card info.
The Messenger app already provides support for messaging and audio calling. But let’s say you have some big news and text or audio calls won’t do because you have to see the other person’s face when you deliver the big news. By giving Messenger video calling capabilities, Facebook just made it possible for you to see the person on the other end of the line.
“Video calling will expand Messenger’s real-time communication features, enabling the more than 600 million people who use Messenger every month to reach others wherever they are, from anywhere. It’s fast, reliable and high quality,” explained Stan Chudnovsky, Head of Product for Messenger and Param Reddy, Engineering Manager.
To initiate a video call you must tap the video icon from the upper right hand corner on your mobile’s screen. Video calls are free but they use your WiFi or data connection (you may be charged for data if you aren’t on WiFi). You can make video calls from an iOS or Android mobile to another iOS or Android mobile phone.
Facebook rolled out the new video calling feature for Messenger users on iOS and Android in the following regions: Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the US and Uruguay.
Support for more regions is coming soon.
UPDATE, May 20, 2015: The video calling feature started to roll out to all regions around the world.
In related news...
Back in March, Facebook implement a payments in Messenger feature that lets users send and receive money. To send money to a friend, you need to start a message, tap the $ icon, specify an amount, tap the Pay button, and then enter your debit card details. To receive money, you have to open a conversation, tap Add Card, and enter your debit card info.
