While it’s only very small scale at this point in time, some Facebook users in Europe have begun receiving notifications that they’ll no longer be able to use in-app messaging. The only real alternative is to install the Facebook Messenger app to maintain that messaging capability with Facebook contacts.
It’s another step for Facebook to show that they are pushing forward with their messaging platform after forking out a whopping US$19 billion for WhatsApp. For some users this may be a blessing in disguise, for others it’s just another reason to use Google+ more. Regardless of what you think of Facebook and their apps, if you use them, you’re not going to have any say in the matter before long. The statement received by The Verge states that this is not a trial; it is the transition of messaging out of the core Facebook app, being pushed out to all users who access the service via mobile platforms.
The promising bit in all of this is that the Facbook app will no doubt be a more reliable, faster and cleaner experience when their core app is updated and no longer has the need for messaging inside it. The only users that will be exempt from this are users who have “low powered Android devices” that are incapable of running the Messenger app.
An interesting move by Facebook, but is it the right move?
Still got no clue why they had to buy whatsapp. :S
I only decided to download the stand alone Messaging app just last week, as I always thought it wasn’t needed while the core app essentially did the same thing. After using it for a week though, I find that it is better than the core app anyway – so I’m glad to hear this news.
Good. Maybe some of my mates will start using Hangouts instead.
“The promising bit in all of this is that the Facebook app will no doubt be a more reliable, faster and cleaner experience when their core app is updated and no longer has the need for messaging inside it.”
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha… I’ll believe this when I see it. The only change I want to see in my Facebook app is the option to remove any filtering by Facebook of what I receive in my newsfeed.
Going to be a pain having to leave the Facebook app to launch the Messenger app just to send a message. Once again, Facebook downgrade features.
It will be great when they do this. At the moment I always use the stand alone Facebook Messenger App as it has pretty much what I use for all messaging now as I can chat on both phone and PC… But what annoys me is you will get a notification that you have a message in the Messenger app but then the actual Facebook app will also have a notification of the same message and you have to clear it in both… Does this no matter what setting I change or even after reinstalling… It will be great when… Read more »