14 DAY TRIAL // Facebok is launching its new, standalone instant-messaging application for subscribers to the popular social networking service that own an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
As simple as it sounds, “Facebook Messenger is a faster way to message. Reach friends right on their phones, get and send messages fast, message everyone at once and more,” reads the description over at the iTunes App Store.
The company run by Mark Zuckerberg announced their new offering in a blog post, with author Lucy Zhang writing:
“More and more of us rely on our phones to send and receive messages. But it isn't always easy to know the best way to reach someone on their phone. Should you send an email or text? Which will they check first? Did they even get your last message?”
“We think messaging should be easier than that. You should be able to write a message, click ‘Send’ and know that you will reach the person right away.”
“So today, we're introducing Messenger, a new mobile app that simplifies how messaging works, and gives you a faster way to message friends and small groups.”
According to Lucy, users will see their messages delivered through notifications and texts. This way, one’s friends are more likely to get them right away, she says.
Since the Messenger app is simply an extension of Facebook messages, all of a user’s conversations are in one place, including your texts, chats, emails and messages.
You can see the full history of all their messages, and the people you’re messaging with can easily find you on the map, if you choose to add your location.
The solution supports attaching photos, “so everyone else can see and comment on what you're looking at,” Lucy writes.
Facebook Messenger is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and requires iOS 4.0 or later. A version for devices running on Google’s Android OS is also available.