Facebook Messenger is the official Facebook app that allows having text conversations with all of user's friends on the social network. (Photo : YouTube/CNET)
Facebook has just rolled out a new Instant Video calling feature for their Messenger app in hopes of competing with Skype, Facetime and even Google's new app dubbed "Duo."
The new feature is different from the already implemented video call in the Facebook Messenger app. Instead of just having to see each other, users can just share their own video feed to a friend who can respond through the chatbox.
Facebook Messenger's new video sharing feature allows users to still chat even though they can already see each other through the video. It becomes useful as not everyone can talk any time but they still want to show something to their friends.
Users can now use the new Facebook Instant Video feature once they update their Messenger app to the latest version either through the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, Mirror.co.uk has learned. All they have to do is to tap on the video call button on the upper right side of the conversation screen to start the process.
After video calling someone, the video feeds then appear over the conversation chat box. Users can then choose to turn on audio or just to respond through text in the conversation pane.
Facebook is also updating Messenger with a new feature that shows a list of the most popular contacts dubbed as "Favorites" and a separate list for those friends with birthdays coming up, Express.co.uk reported. This way, users will be able to prepare a gift or to greet their friends ahead of time although the feature is already found on the desktop Facebook website.
Video calling is increasingly becoming more common as Internet data becomes cheaper and faster for most of the people across the globe. Google launched Duo several weeks ago as it takes on the Facetime app on iOS and Skype, which is the go-to video calling app for several years until now.
Facebook wants to make video calling easier with the Instant Video feature as they believe people want to share their experiences in real time with select friends. It can be touted as a simpler version of Skype and is actually more advantageous since a separate account will not be needed.
