Google Messenger gets a widget and support for GIFs

No matter how you say it, GIFs are awesome. They come in handy all the time. You can use a GIF to convey your current emotion, share a clip from a funny moment on TV, or watch that amazing dunk over and over again. Now you can even send GIFs via SMS with the latest update to Google’s standalone Messenger app.

After you update the app you’ll be able to select GIFs from your local storage to send. You’ll also be able to view GIFs that have been sent to you, tap on the them to view larger, and save to your gallery. Google has also added a nice big scrollable widget for your home screen, as well as the usual performance fixes. If you’re not a fan of Hangouts this is a great simple and clean alternative. Download Google Messenger for free below.

Messenger | Google Play Store

Facebook Messenger adds cross-platform video calling in latest update

Facebook today announced the launch of video calling for Facebook Messenger on Android and iOS. It’s what it sounds like — if text or voice isn’t enough for you, you can take your Facebook chat to a more personal face-to-face video call using one simple button.

The feature is cross-platform, so those on Android can video chat with their friends on iOS without issue, though it’s not yet possible to video chat with folks in the desktop version of Facebook.

The feature is available for those in Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Ireland, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, the UK, the US and Uruguay. Your country not on the list? Facebook pinky swears that it’ll be on its way shortly. Find the upgrade at Google Play right here.

[via Facebook]

Facebook Messenger is adding mobile payments, lets you send money to friends/family

The ability to send cash quickly and easily has seen a boom in recent months. Aside from mobile wallet services like Square Cash or Google Wallet, we’re now seeing it creep into messaging services like Snapchat and today, Facebook.

Using Facebook on the desktop or Messenger for Android and iOS, users in the US will now be able to send money to friends or loved ones inside as easily as sending a text message. Facebook decided to go with debit cards — for both sending and receiving (after creating a PIN) — so that users can avoid those transaction fees. Free is good. As usual, money being transferred is nearly instant, taking a few business days depending on your bank of choice.

We know, Facebook already knows just about everything about you and providing them with your credit card info may not sound like the best idea to some folks. In their announcement post, Facebook reminds users they have been processing payments for gamers and advertisers since ’07. In other words — they know what they’re doing.

Send Money to Friends in Messenger on Vimeo

Facebook Messenger could be adding games in the near future

Facebook Messenger officially became its own platform back in March, so we knew the social network geniuses over at Facebook were brainstorming new ways they could add more exciting features into the service. Right now the in-app apps (app-ception) are mostly related to chat like functions, things like adding GIFs, stickers, or video clips — things that enhance conversations.

We thought it was a great idea, even if we weren’t crazy about the idea of the app becoming more bloated than it already is. As reported by The Information, apparently adoption of these new Messenger apps hasn’t lived up to what Facebook (or developers) had hoped. Now it seems the company will look towards gaming to help pour some fuel on the fire and create added interest.

It makes sense too. Just look at all the casual games out there (Words with Friends, or Evil Apples). These are all games that heavily rely on social aspects to connect gamers with each other. Tapping into that could mean added revenue for developers looking to publish titles on Messenger. While the options are nearly endless, these games could face the same pitfalls as current Messenger apps which developers say are having trouble gaining exposure.

Perhaps a stand-alone Messenger app store is in our future?

Video calling with Facebook Messenger now works (almost) everywhere in the world

When Facebook introduced cross-platform video calling via Messenger late last month, it was only available in a handful of countries. But they promised more were on the way and keeping up with that promise, Facebook is finally updating us on the status of that global rollout.

According to their update post, video calls inside of Messenger should now be available just about everywhere, with the exception of a few countries which, unfortunately, weren’t named. They also said that if you’re experiencing poor video quality to sit tight, they’re working on improving that too.

It was only a few days ago rumors that Facebook was considering adding games into Messenger began floating around the internet. With Messenger recently becoming a full fledged platform for developers to build apps on, it only makes sense — even if we’re not too keen on the idea.

As it stands, Messenger is a solid messaging app, one we find ourselves using more and more. With video calling now available globally, Facebook could be poised to finally take on Skype.

Messenger (Playboard) | Messenger (Play Store)

[Facebook]

You no longer need a Facebook account to log into Messenger

Despite having more than 1.44 billion monthly active users, Facebook knows that not everybody wants to join a social network just to keep in touch with friends and/or family. That’s why they’re eliminating the need to log in with a Facebook account altogether in their latest Messenger update.

Launching first for users in Canada, the United States, Peru and Venezuela, Messenger will not only require a phone number in order to get started using the service which we admit, is much more enjoyable to use than Hangouts. Users who login with their phone numbers will still have access to all the features in Messenger including sending photos, group chats, even voice and video calling.

Facebook does mention that there are still benefits to using your Facebook account to login vs only your phone number like being able to message Facebook friends/contacts (not just people in your phone book), as well as access messages across multiple devices and on the web.

As someone who spends a lot of time messaging friends/family on Messenger, this is absolutely perfect as my immediate family is no longer on Facebook. I’d be willing to guess more than a few of can relate.