Facebook Messenger gets new feature with SMS support, the addition being already tested with Android users in the U.S.
Facebook Messenger gets new feature with SMS support, the addition being already tested with Android users in the U.S.
Facebook is riding the wave of change and testing multiple new features for its messaging app, Messenger. Last month, the social media giant announced a fresh-out-of-the-box Material Desing user interface. Multiple account support is also in the cards. Now, Facebook Messenger gets new feature with SMS support.
According to some users, SMS support is already being tested in the U.S. Facebook also confirmed the tests currently being carried out. SMS support with Messenger isn’t necessarily news. A few years ago Facebook tried introducing the extended service. However, the adoption rate was low. As such, SMS support was dropped. As Google Hangouts and Whatsapp caught on big time when introducing SMS support, Facebook might think it’s the right time to get back on track.
By introducing SMS support to Facebook Messenger, the company aims to make the messaging app a one-stop service for all messaging coming in and going out of your phone. The screenshots that have been circulating around reveal that the SMS bubbles will be colored in purple. The Messenger bubbles will remain blue. Both will be harbored under the Messenger app. This way it becomes easy to figure out what type of message you’re looking at from the initial notification.
When replying to a message in the Messenger app you can switch between ‘Write an SMS message’ and replying to a native Messenger app text.
With SMS support introduced to Messenger app, some fear that it might get confusing. The trick is to follow the color-coded bubbles. In the same app, SMS conversation are preceded by a purple bubble encasing an envelope, while Messenger conversations are signaled by the blue bubble with the Messenger logo.
There’s no way to tell just how successful SMS support will be this time. In 2013 it was pulled due to the low adoption rate. Times have changed and Facebook toys with the idea once more. The move may be driven by Facebook’s wish to make Messenger app the de-facto messaging service on your phone.
This could mean doing away with the phone’s SMS app altogether and keeping Messenger app in short range at all times. The more time you interact with Facebook Messenger, the better.
In addition to the fact that Facebook Messenger gets new feature with SMS support, the company announced multiple account support as well. This could become truly useful as users increasingly need to jump from one account to another without having to log out/log in/log out repeatedly.
The new user interface is also being tested. All in all it looks like an exciting time for the Messenger team.
Photo Credits: Flickr
