Facebook Messenger App Updated With Voice Messages, Testing VoIP Calling in Canada

facebookicon.pngFacebook will update its Facebook Messenger app later today, adding two significant new voice-related abilities, reports The Next Web. The first will allow Facebook users to record a voice message to send to friends in addition to the standard text and photo messages.

The second is potentially more significant -- though is currently in limited beta testing for Canadian iOS users only. Facebook users will now have the option to make a VoIP phone call from one user to another.

Facebook has also said it will also begin the beta testing of a new VoIP calling feature within its iOS Messenger app, allowing users to establish a peer-to-peer connection and make calls without making a dent in their call allowance (although it will use existing data plans).

The only drawback is that voice calls (messages are available to all) will be available to Canadian users of the iOS Messenger app at launch.

To use the service, Canadian users will be able to log into their Messenger app, open a conversation with the person they want to call, hit the ‘i’ button in the top-right corner and selecting ‘Free Call.’ To send and receive calls, users will need to have the latest version of the app that is available today.

NewImage
Facebook's efforts create a calling system that can potentially reach its more than 1 billion users, providing a massive competition to other VoIP services like Skype.

Facebook Messenger for the iPhone is a free download from the App Store. [Direct Link]

A previous version of this article said it was the Facebook iOS app that was updated. It is the standalone Facebook Messenger app that gained the new voice features.

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Top Rated Comments

ShiftyPig Avatar
163 months ago
So I can use my phone as a phone? Hmm... this changes everything.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
///M5 Avatar
163 months ago
Great. Facebook will now know how my voice sounds like. They will be able to sell this piece of information somehow.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chuck-Norris Avatar
163 months ago
for once canadians get dibs on something first LOL
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
baryon Avatar
163 months ago
Will this be compatible with desktop Facebook? They're not going to reach 1 billion users if they only provide their feature for mobile users.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sony311 Avatar
163 months ago
And how much Data does it take per second on a conversation I wonder?

Over the cell network or wifi only I wonder...?


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Yay for Canada! Beta testers unite!


Why only Canada? Seems to be Facebook is copying bbm voice.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
longofest Avatar
163 months ago
Great. Facebook will now know how my voice sounds like. They will be able to sell this piece of information somehow.

Exactly. So, Facebook makes its money off of owning your data, knowing your habits, and then selling all of that information to advertisers and data collection firms it partners with.

They've already proven they can't be trusted with users' information - why would users want to have FB now tap their phone conversations?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)