Instagram adds support for Facebook Messenger Rooms, letting you chat with up to 50 people

It looks like Facebook wants to get as many people using Messenger Rooms as possible. While there are still hints that it is coming to WhatsApp, Instagram rolls out the integration officially. Facebook Messenger Rooms allow users to chat with up to photo people on a single video call. What the integration means is you can create Messenger Rooms through Instagram, before it takes you to Facebook Messenger. 

If this feature interests you, then you can access it through the Direct Messages section of Instagram. When you're in the part of the app, select the video camera icon on the top right-hand corner. At the top of the list, you'll see Create a Room option with a description that says, "Send a Link to video chat with anyone, even if they don't have Instagram." And then it'll prompt you to select the blue "Create Room as (your name)" at the bottom of the screen. From there, you can choose the people from Instagram you want to invite and press Send. You can then opt to Join Room. In the same window, you can get a link to the Room to share with the people you want to join your chat.

Facebook takes on Zoom with Messenger Rooms

Facebook hopes to take on Zoom and its ability to host video calls involving large groups of people with its new Messenger Rooms feature. And like Zoom, participants won't need to have a Facebook account to join. Users can host video chats with up to 50 people, and those without Facebook accounts will receive a link to the Room a Facebook user has created and then be redirected to a browser window. For Rooms created through a Facebook Group are open by default to Group members.

If you use the Messenger app to join a Zoom, you can use AR effects as well as new features like immersive backgrounds and mood lighting. The one who creates the Room gets to choose who can see and join the chat. They can remove anyone from the call at any time or lock the Room if they don't want anyone else to join. Participants can leave anytime they want, too. Messenger Rooms have no time limit whatsoever.

Click to read more ...

Facebook simplifies Messenger, removes Discover tab

Facebook is taking cues from its app WhatsApp by simplifying the Messenger app. It now prioritizes messages and stories. The Discovery tab, which was full of chatbots, has been taken out. These chatbots were used by companies to message users, make them play games, or even encourage them to buy products. But now, Facebook is shifting its focus to speed, simplicity, and performance of the messaging service.

Messenger now has two tabs: Messages and People. The second shows users' stories in tiles. Chatbots can still be used by companies when you need to get in touch with them, but they're just not prominently seen now. The redesign will be rolling out globally, and it should be hitting your device soon.

Source: TechCrunch

Facebook Messenger desktop app gets new beta features

The latest update for Facebook Messenger on the desktop brings a couple of features that are being tested in the beta version of the mobile app. Version 350.5.122.0 will now let you ignore a conversation if it comes from a Facebook friend you choose to ignore messages from. That means you won't get notifications when said friend messages you. Instead, their messages will be moved to the message requests section. The second feature is you can now send voice clips from the desktop app. So, if either feature seems useful to you, now might be the best time to download the app.

Source: MSPowerUser