facebook-messenger-logoThus far, virtual personal assistants like Siri, Google Now and Cortana have been part of an effort to differentiate mobile platforms like iOS and Android. Facebook, however, is working on bringing virtual personal assistants to its Messenger app and the web, according to The Information.

Facebook's offering, which is codenamed "Moneypenny" after the assistant character in the James Bond franchise, will allow users to ask real people for help to research and purchase products and services. Moneypenny will be able to help users with other tasks, but it's unclear what those tasks could be. It's also unknown when Moneypenny could launch.

In recent months Facebook has been working on turning Messenger into a platform, opening up the service to third-party iOS app integration and allowing developers to build apps for the service. Additionally, Facebook previewed the ability for users to be able to message businesses directly to receive updates and shipping confirmations about their online orders as well as the ability to ask free-form questions about orders from within the app.

Facebook Messenger is available for free on the App Store [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

QCassidy352 Avatar
QCassidy352
103 months ago
Excellent. I was just thinking "how can I give Facebook even more access to the details of my life so they can further mine and sell my information?" And bam! Here's my answer!
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
\-V-/ Avatar
\-V-/
103 months ago
Everything they try to do that has nothing to do with the basic premise of social media ends up being either stupid or a complete failure. Anyone remember the Facebook phone? Yeah, neither do I.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iBlazed Avatar
iBlazed
103 months ago

Additionally, Facebook previewed the ability for users to be able to message businesses directly ('https://developers.facebook.com/blog/post/2015/03/25/introducing-messenger-platform-and-businesses-on-messenger/') to receive updates and shipping confirmations about their online orders as well as the ability to ask free-form questions about orders from within the app.
You mean like a text message or email? Revolutionary.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsba Avatar
macsba
103 months ago
So they can screw the members for more private information and monetize it. If I were Apple, I wouldn't approve it for the Mac nor for the iOS devices.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
movieator Avatar
movieator
103 months ago
Facebook, stop trying to make Facebook a thing.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0007776 Avatar
0007776
103 months ago
I really wonder what Facebook's business model is. For years they are quite desperately trying to make Facebook more than Facebook and nothing sticks so far, not even close. They bought random stuff, but they are clearly lacking original ideas.
I think their business model is get as much information about you as they can and sell it to advertisers to make money.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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