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Facebook needs testers for new Messenger features on Android
Apparently Facebook's found the silver bullet for developing its Android apps: crowdsourcing bug testers. In an effort to make Messenger more stable for everyone, Zuckerberg and Co. are asking adventurous Google fans to help work out the application's kinks before new features are released to the general public. The process essentially mirrors what we saw with the open beta for its main app last year. Just sign up for the related Google Group, tick the "become a tester" box in the Play store, download the app, turn on automatic updates and voila you're getting early access to new features. Should a glitch pop up, Facebook asks that you report it with the in-app dialog box. Simple enough, right? Naturally, as is often the case with beta tests, those new bells and whistles might make the app a touch less stable than you're used to.
Facebook Messenger arrives for Windows Phone sans voice features
Microsoft was clearly being cautious when it said Facebook Messenger would be available for Windows Phone within a few weeks of Mobile World Congress -- it's already here, just over a week later. The app offers much of Facebook's familiar chat experience, including group conversations, photo sharing and (of course) stickers. However, are a few missing features in this first revision. There aren't any voice messaging options, and chat heads aren't around to let you quickly jump between active discussions. If those absences aren't make-or-break for you, though, Messenger is ready and waiting at the Windows Phone Store.
Facebook discontinuing its Messenger for Windows app on March 3rd
It looks like Facebook is getting a jump on spring cleaning. Three days after shuttering its @facebook.com email service, the company said it's killing off Messenger for Windows. Though the Windows desktop app won't be discontinued until March 3rd, Facebook has already removed it from the downloads page. Meanwhile, current users have been receiving notifications letting them know the app won't be supported after Monday. Incidentally, the move comes days after Facebook confirmed that Messenger is about to arrive on Windows Phone. We guess Zuckerberg & co. can only handle so many Windows-branded apps at a time?
T-Mobile prepaid offering free data... but only to access Facebook
Look, we understand: You absolutely have to know what Jimmy ate for lunch. And that Marissa is, "Ugh, just so sick of this week already." And Jason's only a "maybe" to the office holiday party? Who does that guy even think he is? Sorry, sorry -- we nearly forgot to tell you that T-Mobile's prepaid brand, GoSmart Mobile, has joined forces with Facebook to offer unfettered access to The Social Network™. Even if you don't pay for data, GoSmart Mobile will still allow Facebook and Facebook Messenger access. You'll never miss another link to "28 signs you've lived in New York City too long" again! Whether the Facebook access will be speedy is another question altogether; it's not actually clear which network users will access it through, and GoSmart is a prepaid service aimed at bringing down mobile costs over offering blazing fast speeds. Either way, free is free, right?
Facebook's revamped Messenger app rolls out to more iPhone, Android users
Facebook announced a few weeks that it would start testing a new Messenger mobile experience, and now more users of the social network should be seeing it. The new version arrived on some of our Android devices within the last 24 hours, and an update to the company's blog post says that now it's coming to iOS as well. The new design is meant to be faster with swiping to switch between conversations and it also asks users to confirm their phone numbers, used to match contacts who have your number, but that you're not yet friends with. While it's now available "more broadly" not everyone is seeing it yet, for a better peek at the new app you can check out Facebook's Messenger website. The more dev-oriented should look at a post on its Engineering blog that explains some of the under the hood changes made to get everything moving faster on both platforms.
Facebook tests new version of Messenger for Android with a refreshed look, quicker access to chats
Starting today, Facebook is testing a "faster and more reliable" Messenger app for Android users. For starters, the mobile software is getting a new look which boasts easier navigation of the chatting landscape. Tapping across the top of the app's UI and swiping left or right will now reveal recent convos, a list of those folks you speak to on the regular and a settings window. The ability to text folks who aren't your Facebook friends is also baked in -- so long as you know their phone number. Icons will appear in the friends list to let users know who is currently using the app as well. If all of those sound like welcome improvements, you'll have to wait it out as the beta will only include a limited number of Android faithful for now.
Facebook Messenger for iOS: now with stickers and message-deleting swipes
Facebook's been giving its Messenger app quite a few facelifts lately, with the arrival of Chat Heads and VoIP calling among the highlights. Today, an app update was released for iOS that lets users add stylized critter stickers to messages, freeing them from the crippling visual limitations of emoticons in textual communications -- largely identical to the recent Android update. The upgrade also enables a swipe to delete feature to remove conversations from inboxes for good, saving users precious fingertips from an extra tap or two in the process. If your iPhone hasn't already told you about version 2.4, you'll find the fresh download at the source below.
Facebook brings free VoIP calling to Android users in the US
Not content to own your phone's home screen, Facebook is bringing free VoIP calling to users of its Home and Android Messenger apps in the US. The social network's VoIP for iOS has been available in the US for a few months now, and Android users are already enjoying the service in 23 other countries, including Canada. Stateside, the VoIP for Android will roll out over the course of the day, and it shouldn't require a manual update; users will know they have the new VoIP feature if they can click the "i" icon on a friend's profile and then select "free call." From Chat Heads, starting a call requires tapping the "more info" dots next to a friend's name to jump into the Messenger app. [Image credit: Gizmodo]
Facebook Messenger for Android updated with chat head support
If you're an absolute Facebook addict, then today is the day you've been waiting for. Home should officially be hitting the Play store at some point today. In preparation for its debut, the company has just updated its Messenger app. The change log features the usual slew of bug fixes but, most importantly, it adds support for chat heads. Those floating IM shortcuts are one of the most anticipated features of Facebook's homescreen replacement, and appear to be as irritating as they are convenient. To get your update, head to the Play store now. Update: The official Facebook app has also been updated, with the permissions necessary to run Home. But, we're not seeing the launcher yet, either buried in the Facebook app's settings or in the Play store. We'll be keeping an eye out, though.
Facebook Messenger for iOS gets VoIP in the UK today
A little over a month ago, Facebook added Voice over IP (VoIP) calling capabilities to its iOS app for users in the US and Canada. Now users in the UK have been added to the gradual rollout of Facebook's VoIP domination of the universe. The VoIP capability works through Facebook Messenger, both in the Facebook and Facebook Messenger apps. After selecting a chat recipient in the app, tapping the Contact Info button (the "i" in the upper right corner of the app) displays information about the recipient including a Free Call button if they're able to accept a call. Both parties need to be online within the app for the Free Call button to be active. The calls don't use voice minutes or rack up expensive long-distance charges; instead, it chews up your data plan megabytes instead if you're on a 3G/4G network.
Facebook Messenger iOS app enables free calling feature for UK users
While Americans and Canadians have enjoyed making app-based voice calls to their Facebook contacts since January, their overseas buddies have missed out -- until now. The social network's iOS Messenger app has just doled out the calling feature to the UK and potentially other parts of Europe too, although we haven't yet been able to confirm exactly how far and wide the update reaches. It's worth noting that the feature isn't enabled on the Android iteration yet, either. The new calling service isn't powered by Skype this time, although it works in a similarly uncomplicated way, with the ability to leave voice messages with any busy users. According to Pocket-lint, this is an experimental version, warning that you might experience a few bugs and glitches as you play around with it, but hey, you're getting free calls to (most of) your friends, barring any data charges. We've tested the new feature and it's working for several of our UK editors over both WiFi and 3G, but if you haven't already picked up the messaging app yet, you can grab it at the source below.
Facebook Messenger on Android loaded with free voice calls for Canadian users
Android's flavor of Facebook Messenger has just been updated with VoIP functionality for the social network's Canadian users. There's no word when Android faithful in the US will snag the functionality, but Canucks can at least ring their American counterparts who wield the iOS app. Version 2.3 of the mobile messenger also makes group conversations accessible in the sidebar, allows them to be named from the top of a talk and makes them searchable by name and friends. Hit the neighboring source link to grab the revamped software.
Facebook starts turning on free voice calls for iPhone users in the US (update)
Earlier this month word got out that Facebook was trialing a free voice calling feature in Canada. We said that, if those tests went well, the company would expand to the US. Well, things must have gone swimmingly because, just two weeks later, American customers are starting to see the same feature turn up in the Messenger app. After updating to the latest version, just tap the "i" icon in the top right hand corner while viewing a conversation with a person and you'll see a button for a "free call." The voice call needs to be made over WiFi, however, so don't expect to completely replace your contact list and dialer yet (update: calls can be made over a cellular data connection as well). We've reached out for comment from Facebook, and we'll let you know the moment we hear back. In particular we're wondering when Android users can expect to see the same option turned on for them. Let us know in the comments if Facebook's VoIP has been turned on for you. Update: We just heard back from a Facebook spokesperson who said "you can only connect with a Facebook friend who also has [the latest] Messenger installed on their iPhone" and that "it's only available on iOS." If you satisfy the requirements and you're still unable to see the Free Call feature, it might not be available yet for you or your friend. We also confirmed that there are no special privacy settings to enable or disable if you want it. Join us after the break for our first impressions.
Facebook adds voice recording to Messenger, testing VoIP service in Canada
If you're a fan of the Facebook Messenger app keep your eye out for an interesting update coming down the pipe today for both the iOS and Android versions. The social network is adding the ability to record and send voice messages, up to one minute in length, to your friends. The goal isn't to create a voice mail system for Facebook, but to give users another option for interacting when typing is either impossible or inconvenient. It works much like the video feature in the company's Poke app -- press and hold the red record button, speak your message and it'll appear in-line as part of your chat, represented by a clickable sound wave icon. Even more interesting though, is the VoIP capabilities that are being flipped on for Canadian users. It's a little buried at the moment -- hidden behind the "i" icon in the chat window -- but everyone's favorite social network is now offering a way to place free voice calls to friends. Interestingly, the platform is built on open source technology and not on its Skype partnership. If things go well in the land of maple trees and Mounties we imagine it wont be too long before America gets a taste of VoIP calling Facebook style.
Facebook Messenger allows sign-ups with just a name and phone number on Android devices
Facebook Messenger might as well be as ubiquitous as SMS text messaging for some, but there's a catch to getting everyone to agree: despite there being over a billion Facebook users, not everyone is able (or willing) to fire up a social networking profile to get started. Some of the Android users among us won't have to go through that trouble as of today. An imminent update to the Facebook Messenger app will let anyone sign up using just their name and a phone number; any initial friends will come directly from the newcomer's own mobile contact list. The rollout is currently focusing on Australia, India, Indonesia, South Africa and Venezuela, but should spread to the rest of the world in short order. iOS users are also in line to get the update, although the timetable is less definite. Whatever the platform, Facebook is clearly eager to give those seemingly few holdouts from its service an easy way to test the waters -- and possibly save on their messaging rates in the process.
Facebook Messenger for Firefox arrives in finished form, keeps us in the loop without an extra tab (video)
Mozilla kicked off the fall with beta Facebook Messenger support for Firefox that flexed the muscle of its Social API. Now that the snowfall is here in earnest, so too is a polished version of the conversation-driven add-on. Those running the latest version of the browser now just have to enable Messenger for Firefox from its Facebook page, at which point it's an always-on (if thankfully optional) companion to any web explorations: along with keeping chats alive without an extra tab, the resulting sidebar will ping for less urgent events such as post comments or photo tags. We're promised more social networks in the future, but the billion-plus among us who regularly check into Mark Zuckerberg's brainchild can get their fill at the source link.
Firefox begins testing Social API with Facebook Messenger, here's how you can take part
You live a fast-paced life, and you don't have time to stop your high-speed internet surfing just to check up on Suzie's latest Facebook update. Mozilla understands your plight, digital denizen, and its "Social API" is here to help -- Firefox browser users can beta test Facebook's Messenger functionality right this minute, should they be able to pause for long enough to get it set up. Thankfully, that setup isn't too strenuous, requiring little more than the latest beta version of the Firefox browser and an opt-in to the Social API program (via Facebook). Mozilla's promising more social service integration as the beta rolls on ("soon"), but for now you can more readily stay in touch with Suzie at least, right?
Facebook Messenger 2.0 for iPhone brings new design to conversations, swipe left for friends list
Facebook debuted the new look of its dedicated Messenger app on Android last week and and just as promised, now it's available on the iPhone as well. Facebook Messenger 2.0 brings a new SMS-style bubble layout to conversations, a swipe left gesture to reveal one's friends list and the ability to push the friends you message most to the top of the list. As mentioned along with the Android update this is a part of a new release schedule cycle that should see updates arriving every 4 - 8 weeks. That means you can mark your calendar for the next refresh if this is your social network of choice, but for now just grab the latest version from iTunes.
Facebook Messenger for BlackBerry reaches App World, sates compulsive chatters
If you own a BlackBerry, it might not have been immediately apparent that Facebook Messenger has been an option since October; unlike with Android or iOS, you had to track down the download on Facebook's website. We don't know why it's been kept out of a more accessible channel, but that ends today with Facebook's chat-focused app arriving on BlackBerry App World like most any other title. There don't appear to be any new tricks included with the expanded availability, although we'd say that the wider exposure is enough of a highlight for an audience that just needs to get by until BlackBerry 10. Those who don't use BBM for all their instant messaging can find what they need at the source link.
Facebook revamps Messenger for Android with friendlier chats, teases core app update soon (update 2: iOS refresh as well)
Facebook has already been making its mea culpas for the state of its main Android app, and it's showing further atonement through an Android-first update to its Facebook Messenger companion release. The new app is imbued with a "more conversational" (if fairly familiar-looking) bubble-driven layout for chats. Likewise, it's easier to see if a conversation is needed in the first place: a friend status list is always available with a swipe, while fresh support for texting directly from Messenger can keep the discussion flowing when SMS comes into play. Android users can get the Messenger upgrade today, with promise of an iOS equivalent soon. The regular Android app is getting an update as well, although we wouldn't cry with joy just yet: it's more of a parallel to the Messenger update than the speed-up that some of us crave. Update: The company's Christian Legnitto has posted a lengthy explanation that the Messenger rework and the core Facebook update (already available) are part of a new strategy that brings Android and iOS updates at regular intervals, rather than waiting solely for major features. If all goes well, the social network can provide speed upgrades and bug fixes at a much quicker pace. Update 2: And the hits just keep on coming -- although today is mostly about Android, Facebook has tweaked its main app's iOS version (App Store) for iPhone 5 and iOS 6 support.
