Still lagging behind the times, using Facebook's in-app chat? Now, the social network titan is urging users to download its Messenger app if they want to keep connected with all friends on Facebook. The move is aimed at driving user support for Facebook's standalone Messenger application.
In April Facebook decided it would separate apps for the social network, and began initially by forcing a number of European nations to download Messenger app. Now all Facebook users are being told to embrace the app for chatting purposes.
The company emailed a number of Facebook users in order to notify them of the coming move to Messenger, which it says is "a free app that's faster and more reliable for everyday messaging."
Still, a number of Facebook users are frustrated and question the move, with some analysts arguing it is a chance for Facebook to add more advertising and click-ons into the app's interface, while also making it easier for the social network to track what people are discussing.
In an FAQ, Facebook said "people reply about 20 percent faster on Messenger than on Facebook. So as your friends start using Messenger, you'll probably notice them getting back to you sooner."
While there are the usual immediate detractors to the move, Tech Times reports the new Messenger app will allow users the ability to shoot 15-second videos from within the app and send it to their friends. That's a new feature that Facebook hopes will alleviate any concerns over switching to the new app to stay connected.
As part of the transition to the new app, which has more than 200 million users, Facebook hired David Marcus, the ex-PayPal president, to sit as its VP for messaging products. Marcus reports directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg as well as to Javier Olivan, who is also VP but for growth and analytics at Facebook. He is expected to come up with a business model for the Messenger service that will help the social media business earn revenue from such.
