Facebook Messenger has its own desktop app, and this will make it easy for people to send messages and do video chats with friends and family from your computer.
The app is now available on the Microsoft Store and Mac App Store, and will let you message friends and start video calls, just like on the mobile and web versions. It also includes a dark mode, which Facebook has been rolling out as one of the new features introduced to the desktop’s redesign.
Its been long over due for the launch of this standalone desktop app for Facebook Messenger, with strong hints that Facebook was working on an app as early as 2016 according to Techcrunch. Facebook later launched a desktop app for Workplace, its collaboration tool, in late 2017. But it didn’t announce Messenger for desktop until last year.
According to Facebook here are some highlights of the app:
- Group video calls on a larger screen. Stay in touch with family and friends, join a workout, or host a virtual happy hour.
- Easy to connect. You don’t need to know someone’s email or phone number since all your Facebook friends have Messenger.
- Multitasking. Your chats are easily accessible, and you can pop in and out of the app while doing other things on your computer.
- Notifications. You can receive notifications for new messages, so you can quickly find the chat you’re looking for. But you’re in control — you can choose to mute and snooze notifications.
- Chats sync across mobile and desktop. You’ll never miss a call or message no matter what device you’re using.
- Everything you love about Messenger on a bigger screen. Including Dark Mode and GIFs.
It has been a timely launch for the new Facebook Messenger desktop app as joins the increasingly important pool of videoconferencing tools such as Zoom, which is facing backlash for its privacy and security issues. As many people are under quarantine and are practice social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, video chat apps are becoming vital tools to keep in contact with friends and family. Facebook finally launching a full version of its Messenger desktop app should make it a little bit easier for users to video chat with their friends.
