Hasta La Gadget!

Not content to own your phone’s home screen, Facebook is bringing free VoIP calling to users of its Home and Android Messenger apps in the US. The social network’s VoIP for iOS has been available in the US for a few months now, and Android users are already enjoying the service in 23 other countries, including Canada. Stateside, the VoIP for Android will roll out over the course of the day, and it shouldn’t require a manual update; users will know they have the new VoIP feature if they can click the “i” icon on a friend’s profile and then select “free call.” From Chat Heads, starting a call requires tapping the “more info” dots next to a friend’s name to jump into the Messenger app.

[Image credit: Gizmodo]

Filed under: Software, Mobile, Facebook

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Via: TechCrunch

Source: Google Play

While Americans and Canadians have enjoyed making app-based voice calls to their Facebook contacts since January, their overseas buddies have missed out — until now. The social network’s iOS Messenger app has just doled out the calling feature to the UK and potentially other parts of Europe too, although we haven’t yet been able to confirm exactly how far and wide the update reaches. It’s worth noting that the feature isn’t enabled on the Android iteration yet, either. The new calling service isn’t powered by Skype this time, although it works in a similarly uncomplicated way, with the ability to leave voice messages with any busy users. According to Pocket-lint, this is an experimental version, warning that you might experience a few bugs and glitches as you play around with it, but hey, you’re getting free calls to (most of) your friends, barring any data charges. We’ve tested the new feature and it’s working for several of our UK editors over both WiFi and 3G, but if you haven’t already picked up the messaging app yet, you can grab it at the source below.

Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Apple, Facebook

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Via: Pocket-lint

Source: Facebook Messenger

Earlier this month word got out that Facebook was trialing a free voice calling feature in Canada. We said that, if those tests went well, the company would expand to the US. Well, things must have gone swimmingly because, just two weeks later, American customers are starting to see the same feature turn up in the Messenger app. After updating to the latest version, just tap the “i” icon in the top right hand corner while viewing a conversation with a person and you’ll see a button for a “free call.” The voice call needs to be made over WiFi, however, so don’t expect to completely replace your contact list and dialer yet (update: calls can be made over a cellular data connection as well). We’ve reached out for comment from Facebook, and we’ll let you know the moment we hear back. In particular we’re wondering when Android users can expect to see the same option turned on for them. Let us know in the comments if Facebook’s VoIP has been turned on for you.

Update: We just heard back from a Facebook spokesperson who said “you can only connect with a Facebook friend who also has [the latest] Messenger installed on their iPhone” and that “it’s only available on iOS.” If you satisfy the requirements and you’re still unable to see the Free Call feature, it might not be available yet for you or your friend. We also confirmed that there are no special privacy settings to enable or disable if you want it. Join us after the break for our first impressions.

Continue reading Facebook starts turning on free voice calls for iPhone users in the US (update)

Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Facebook

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Via: The Verge

You live a fast-paced life, and you don’t have time to stop your high-speed internet surfing just to check up on Suzie’s latest Facebook update. Mozilla understands your plight, digital denizen, and its “Social API” is here to help — Firefox browser users can beta test Facebook’s Messenger functionality right this minute, should they be able to pause for long enough to get it set up. Thankfully, that setup isn’t too strenuous, requiring little more than the latest beta version of the Firefox browser and an opt-in to the Social API program (via Facebook). Mozilla’s promising more social service integration as the beta rolls on (“soon”), but for now you can more readily stay in touch with Suzie at least, right?

Filed under: Internet, Software

Firefox begins testing Social API with Facebook Messenger, here’s how you can take part originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you own a BlackBerry, it might not have been immediately apparent that Facebook Messenger has been an option since October; unlike with Android or iOS, you had to track down the download on Facebook’s website. We don’t know why it’s been kept out of a more accessible channel, but that ends today with Facebook’s chat-focused app arriving on BlackBerry App World like most any other title. There don’t appear to be any new tricks included with the expanded availability, although we’d say that the wider exposure is enough of a highlight for an audience that just needs to get by until BlackBerry 10. Those who don’t use BBM for all their instant messaging can find what they need at the source link.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Facebook Messenger for BlackBerry reaches App World, sates compulsive chatters originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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