Facebook Messenger App Gains Read Receipts, Location Information

Friday May 4, 2012 3:24 PM PDT by Jordan Golson
Facebook has updated its standalone mobile messaging app, as it tries to make messaging more modern. The Facebook Messenger app has gained read receipts, which tell senders when their messages have been read, as well as providing the senders location information. According to TechCrunch, Facebook is trying to make mobile conversations "feel more real."
Product Manager Peter Deng tells “SMS has been around for 20 years, built it was for these T9 phones. We’re focused on leveraging all the capabilities of today’s devices to create a new messaging experience.” He also says these are just the start of app updates designed to make mobile conversations feel more real, as if you had body language cues and more to go by.

Unlike iMessage, which requires that read receipts be explicitly turned on by the receiver, Facebook doesn't provide a way to disable read receipts -- but the company will let users hide their location.

The updates are going mobile first, showing up first in the standalone Facebook Messenger apps, and will eventually move out to the Facebook mobile app and the web interface on Facebook.com.

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

46 comments

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TonyC28
102 months ago
Facebook, for the love of God, please just put a few hours into making your main app something better than the horrendous piece of crap that it is now.
Rating: 13 Votes
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drummerdude1390
102 months ago
no way to disable read receipts? They are going to get a lot of complaints for that one.
Rating: 10 Votes
Avatar
wikus
102 months ago

Why? What is the big deal?

Obviously you KNOW who ever you're sending a message to is going to read it - why is it so bad that confirmation is posted to the message?

Are you somehow *surprised* that the person you sent a message to read it?


Do you like being hassled by others?

Person X: Hey, whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person X: Hey, you didn't reply, whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person X: What the hell, reply! Whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person Y: WHAT!?

Some of us like our privacy and distance from others.
Rating: 9 Votes
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bigjobby
102 months ago
Having none of that. App now deleted. poof!... gone.
Rating: 7 Votes
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burnout8488
102 months ago

Why? What is the big deal?

Obviously you KNOW who ever you're sending a message to is going to read it - why is it so bad that confirmation is posted to the message?

Are you somehow *surprised* that the person you sent a message to read it?


I don't like getting a message, having the other person informed that I read that message, then getting another one from them asking if I'm going to respond. I'll respond when I can! I've got it disabled in iMessage for that reason.
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
Flitzy
102 months ago

no way to disable read receipts? They are going to get a lot of complaints for that one.


Why? What is the big deal?

Obviously you KNOW who ever you're sending a message to is going to read it - why is it so bad that confirmation is posted to the message?

Are you somehow *surprised* that the person you sent a message to read it?
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
Primejimbo
102 months ago

i think its rude not to respond right away. its something else if u didnt see it but if u read it but go like meh ... not now. thats just rude. i always say sorry when it takes me to long to reply


how is it rude? I read a text at times and don't reply because I am working, out with wife/family/friends or just too busy. I read them to make sure it's not important and maybe I need to act right away. I think it's more rude to be with my wife out to dinner and texting other people.
This is why I like texting/FB messaging over talking on the phone because I will get back when I have time.
Rating: 5 Votes
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rwilliams
102 months ago

Do you like being hassled by others?

Person X: Hey, whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person X: Hey, you didn't reply, whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person X: What the hell, reply! Whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person Y: WHAT!?

Some of us like our privacy and distance from others.


Some of you all seem to need more mature friends if they'll harass you over not instantly replying to a message.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
Flitzy
102 months ago

I don't like getting a message, having the other person informed that I read that message, then getting another one from them asking if I'm going to respond. I'll respond when I can! I've got it disabled in iMessage for that reason.


You know they can do that anyway, right?

"Hey, did you read it?"

And how is getting one message the worst annoyance in the world? Don't want it? 'X' out and you're done....

The Internet wasn't made for hermits living in seclusion, you know...


Do you like being hassled by others?

Person X: Hey, whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person X: Hey, you didn't reply, whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person X: What the hell, reply! Whats up? <--- Seen by Person Y
Person Y: WHAT!?

Some of us like our privacy and distance from others.


That sounds more of a problem with the person not the program. If someone annoys you THAT much, why are you communicating with them?
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
filmantopia
102 months ago
I would never ask someone "why aren't you responding". If someone is giving you a hard time about responding then in most situations they're just failing at understanding basic online-social principals. It should be understood that you can read a message and not have to immediately respond.
Rating: 3 Votes
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