Facebook's messenger app hits 1 billion downloads this June.
As digital connections continue to get more intimate and preferable, instant messaging (IM) apps increasingly thrive. Facebook proves that they can flourish in this arena with a coveted download milestone: 1 billion users. The largest social media app company is now part of the 1-billion-download elite group that only has five members: WhatsApp, Google's Gmail, YouTube, Google Search, and Google Maps.
"Happy to make it to the very exclusive Android 1 billion+ downloads club," Facebook Messenger Vice President David Marcus rejoiced.
Used for both professional and personal communications, the messenger underwent a myriad of overhauls for the past few years: from forcing its people to log in to their Facebook accounts first before they can use the app, to adding peer-to-peer payments stickers, VOIP, and stickers, to allowing users to access the app without requiring a Facebook account. All of the ups and downs the social media giant IM app experienced were worth it.
Over a 6-month period, TechCrunch reported that the actually messenger had upgraded its roster of features to include six major improvements:
Value-added Location Settings: chatters can now opt not to share where they are automatically at Facebook. And when they do want to share where they are, a picture of a map pointing to the exact location would be sent to the other user. Moreover, the messenger may suggest people users might want to hang out with at the moment. Plus, Facebook already allows third-party apps to be used with its messenger; so you can probably hail a cab using your Facebook messenger anytime soon.
Free VOIP Video Calls: on April 27, 2015, people can now talk to their loved ones using Facebook messenger as though they were using Apple's FaceTime.
Standalone Messaging Site: you don't have to log in to your Facebook account to access messenger on your desktop as an independent Facebook messenger website already hosts the IM platform.
Apps Discovery Platform: the social media giant added a channel where users can share content using third-party apps installed within messenger.
Customer Support for Facebook Businesses: businesses can now send corporate updates and provide needed help to their network of clients via messenger. They just have to sign up for it in a standalone registration site.
Friend-to-friend payment: users can now pay via messenger as though they were using PayPal, but more convenient.
Clearly, Facebook continues to expand its reach through additional upgrades and features that make it easier for people to not only communicate but also transact and do business.
