Facebook has launched its own instant messaging service for mobile phones, similar to the hugely popular Blackberry Messenger (BBM).
Facebook Messenger is a dedicated instant messaging mobile app that lets members of the social networking site send free, instant messages from an Android or Apple iOS device to all their friends – whether they’re on Facebook or in their phone contacts list.
The service can also be used to communicate with groups, much like BBM, and allows users to include location details and attach files like photos.
Explaining the new service, Facebook engineer Lucy Zhang said: “More and more of us rely on our phones to send and receive messages. But it isn’t always easy to know the best way to reach someone on their phone .”
“Should you send an email or text? Which will they check first? Did they even get your last message?”
“We think messaging should be easier than that. You should be able to write a message, click ‘Send’ and know that you will reach the person right away.”
So far the new app is available in the US, but it is expected to launch in other countries later this year.
