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Facebook Messenger gets a new logo and a fresh design
The redesigned app has more chat themes and custom reactions.
Facebook's Accounts Center lets you cross-post to Instagram
You can use it to sign in to both accounts and Messenger at the same time.
Even Facebook's Messenger is getting in on the Star Wars hype
In case you hadn't heard, there's a little indie movie coming out next week called Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. As if tie-ins from the likes of Le Creuset weren't enough for the future arthouse classic, Facebook is getting in on the act with its first branded chat theme for Messenger.
Facebook finally lets you unsend messages in Messenger
Facebook announced today that all users can now remove messages sent on Messenger -- a feature that had previously only been used by Facebook to delete messages sent by company executives. Users will now have a 10-minute window to unsend any message delivered through Messenger, whether it was sent to a single person or to a group chat.
Facebook’s simplified Messenger app interface is rolling out to users
Facebook teased a Messenger redesign at its F8 conference back in May and then started slowly rolling out the simpler interface last October. Now, The Verge reports, the redesign is becoming available more widely, with both the App Store and Google Play Store listings displaying the new interface. The new design features fewer tabs, makes it easier for you to chat with friends and introduces contextual icons that let you know what's going on in a conversation.
Facebook Messenger's camera fakes portrait mode photos
Facebook Messenger's camera just caught up to Instagram's in a few key areas, and then some. To start, you can snap software-based portrait mode photos -- if you don't have a dual-camera phone (or one with clever AI photography), you can still get that blurred background for your headshots. You can also shoot animated Boomerang loops if you want to capture a brief bit of movement without recording a whole video.
Facebook adds animated GIFs and more customization to Messenger Lite
Messenger Lite, Facebook's stripped down version of its popular messaging app, is getting some new features for customization and expression. Starting today, users of the app will be able to send and view animated GIFs, change how conversations with people and groups look and share files with others.
Facebook starts rolling out Messenger's 'unsend' feature
Facebook didn't take long to roll out Messenger's unsend feature, although it may be a while before you have the option of correcting missteps in your part of the world. Unsending is now available in Messenger's Android and iOS apps in Bolivia, Colombia, Lithuania and Poland, with promises it will be available in other countries as soon as it's possible. The functionality is the same wherever you go, at least. You'll have up to 10 minutes to retract a message, with a marker telling others where the ex-message was. Facebook will keep unsent messages for a short amount of time in order to prevent harassers from using the option to cover their tracks.
Facebook is still growing at a slow but steady pace
It feels like for the better part of the past two years, every few months we talk about how Facebook hasn't been having an easy time. In 2018 alone, the company's faced several problems, such as the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal and, of course, the recent data breach that exposed private data of 29 million Facebook users. While we won't see the effects of the latter until next quarter, if at all, Facebook has kept raking in cash and users despite everything -- even if its growth has slowed down a bit. For Q3 2018, Facebook reports it has grown to 2.27 billion monthly active users, a 10 percent year-over-year increase, which is complemented by $13.78 billion in revenue.
James Patterson will preview his next novel in Facebook Messenger
James Patterson, the best-selling book factory in human form, is letting readers interact with the characters from his upcoming novel The Chef by speaking to them through Facebook Messenger. Starting October 30th, you'll be able to receive video and sound clips from characters via Facebook's massively popular messaging platform, according to Variety.
Google Maps ETA sharing comes to iOS, third-party apps
The overhaul of Google Maps is continuing, this time with ETA sharing. After first introducing the feature in 2017, Google is giving users the ability to share their location and route in real-time with others on both Android and iOS devices—and through third-party messaging apps.
Facebook is reportedly making a video chat camera for your TV
Facebook's Portal cameras might just be the start of the company's plans to bring video chat to your home. Cheddar sources claimed that the social network is making a "camera-equipped device" that brings video chat and streaming services (including Facebook's own) to your TV. Nicknamed Ripley, it's tentatively slated to launch in spring 2019. A Facebook spokesperson declined to comment.
Facebook releases Messenger Lite for iOS in Turkey
Facebook's Messenger Lite has been available for the last couple of years, but only for Android. Until now, that is. TechCrunch reports that the company has now launched a version for iOS, but it's unlikely you'll be able to try it out just yet, since Facebook has only made it available in Turkey. The app was spotted by analytics firm Sensor Tower, which earlier this week, also discovered that Facebook had begun testing Facebook Lite for iOS in Turkey as well.
Facebook's Portal smart displays aim to fix video chat
It's never been easier to video chat with someone today -- you can thank the rise of ubiquitous webcams, front-facing mobile cameras and social networks for that. But the act of having a video conversation with someone is still a pain. You have to coordinate with whoever you want to call, make sure you're using a compatible service, and if you're chatting from your phone, you'll also be stuck holding it up for the entire conversation. Clearly, there's still plenty of room for improvement. So, for the past two years, Facebook has been working on a solution, and it's not at all what you'd expect. The company is unveiling two smart displays, the Portal ($199) and Portal+ ($349), which are focused on video chatting. They have AI-powered cameras to track you as you move around the room, large screens to easily see who you're talking to, an array of four microphones (plus more AI smarts) to capture everything you're saying and decent speakers, so the conversation is always clear.
Facebook reportedly avoided DOJ wiretap of Messenger calls
As part of a case involving members of the MS-13 gang, the US Department of Justice has been pushing to get access to Facebook Messenger voice calls. It even attempted to hold Facebook in contempt of court last month when the company pushed back on a wiretap order. Now, Reuters reports that a US District Court judge ruled in favor of the social media giant, according to sources familiar with the matter, but because the proceedings are sealed, the reason why isn't yet clear.
Facebook’s next big augmented reality push is multiplayer games
Even as Facebook faces extreme pressure from Congress on issues like foreign interference and fake news, the company has to remain focused on keeping users tied to its many products. After all, that's how it makes its money. One of the ways Facebook is doing that is by going in heavy on augmented reality. Aside from bringing the technology to its News Feed and main app's camera, Facebook sees AR as the perfect medium to bring a different layer to one particular service: Messenger, where friends interact with one another on a daily basis.
Physical copies of 'Jurassic World' come with an AR baby raptor experience
The franchise hype leading up to the theatrical release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom earlier in the summer included a slew of AR and VR games. Unsurprisingly, there's another on the way to celebrate the film's home release on September 18th through the Facebook and Messenger mobile apps: An in-store display featuring the film's Indoraptor antagonist, and an insert slipped into physical copies that boots up an interactive baby version of the beloved Velociraptor, Blue.
DOJ wants access to suspect's encrypted Facebook Messenger chats
The US government wants Facebook to help break Messenger's encryption to get access to a suspect's voice conversations in a criminal case, sources told Reuters. The case, an investigation of the MS-13 gang, is under seal so filings aren't publicly available. But the sources stated that Facebook has contested the DOJ's demand, and may be held in contempt of court for refusing.
Nickelodeon’s ‘Double Dare’ finds new life in Facebook Messenger
Nickelodeon's game show Double Dare is now a Facebook game. The classic show originally aired from 1986 to 1993 and recently just made its return to Nickelodeon. Now, fans will be able to play a version of Double Dare themselves through Facebook Messenger, challenging friends and keeping track of who's on top via the game's leaderboard.
Facebook adds augmented reality games to Messenger video chats
Hours-long video chats can be great for staying connected to distant friends, but there's bound to be a lull in the conversation at some point. Facebook thinks it can liven up those quiet moments -- it's introducing augmented reality games to Messenger video chats in its mobile apps. As many as six people can play simple competitive titles that make use of your face. You just have to tap the star button and pick a game to let others know you'd like to play.
