Facebook, Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) has launched the latest update on its Facebook Messenger platform, which allows groups to conduct free voice calls between all members. The feature has rolled out on all iOS and Android devices around the world.
With the latest addition to the functionalities of the app, Facebook Messenger continues to demonstrate its strength and dominance against leading communication competitors such as the Skype of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and the Hangouts of Alphabet, Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL).
Group Voice Call Feature
With the new feature, users can now concurrently call up to 50 friends and enjoy a juicy phone conversation together. Catching up with friends and relatives is now been made more convenient and more accessible. However, it is important to note that it is not a video conference feature.
David Marcus, Facebook Messaging Products Vice President (VP), said that it would appear as a mini phone icon in group’s conversations. When a user clicks it, he or she will be able to add other call participants as well.
Growth of Facebook Messenger App
With over 900 million monthly active users (MAUs), Facebook Messenger is considered as one of the company’s most successful products in history. The company first introduced its one-on-one voice call feature in 2013. Last year, the one-on-one video call feature has been launched.
To sustain its growth, Facebook has been adding several features every now and then. These features include mini games, stickers, a system powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and many more. With these, Facebook hopes to keep their user base growing.
As the company continues to improve its communication services through the Facebook Messenger, it will not be too long before it totally ousts Skype and Google Hangouts in the business. Additionally, do not wonder if one of these days, Messenger has already replaced mobile communications as well— something that telecommunication companies need to consider as early as now. Facebook seems to be trying its best to consolidate all communication needs into one, highly integrated app.