Messenger

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a lot of activity that used to be done in-person to move online. Work is being done remotely and friends are chatting in video calls instead of getting together in-person. In response to this massive shift toward online collaboration and communication, we've seen a number of companies roll out new features and functionality. Facebook has been building out Messenger's feature set as the pandemic progresses, and today it added a new tool called Watch Together.

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It may not yet have that unified messaging platform that it's rumored to be so eager to have, but Facebook is at least trying to unify some of behavior across its various social networks. Earlier this year, its instant messaging property WhatsApp started to put caps on how many times a message can be forwarded and now Facebook is doing the same for its own Messenger all for the sake of curbing misinformation.

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If you're having issues with Facebook Messenger at the moment, we've got some good news and some bad news for you. The good news is that it isn't a problem on your end, but that means the bad news is Facebook Messenger is having some problems on its end. Facebook Messenger doesn't seem to be down entirely, but we've noticed that the desktop site in particular is not functioning properly.

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Facebook today announced a number of new security features for Messenger, and chief among them is a new App Lock feature. This, essentially, will keep your messages private even if someone else gains access to your phone, whether they're simply borrowing it or they're being a little more intrusive. In addition, Facebook is rolling out new settings that give you control over who can and can't message you.

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This week the Facebook for Android app updated the way they show their brand - with all sorts of icons. You'll see Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus. This is just the tip of the iceberg, really, as Facebook's ramped up acquisitions of companies over the last several years. Do you know if your favorite app and/or service is owned by Facebook? Let's take a look at the list of names that are actually owned and/or run by Facebook, from top to bottom.

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Facebook is testing a new way for Messenger users to secure their inboxes, at least if they own an iPhone. The feature, which was first leaked back in January, enables Messenger users to secure their inboxes behind Face ID even if the iPhone is unlocked, putting an extra barrier between one's messages and any nosey person who may be trying to get a look.

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Uncertain and desperate times bring out the best and the worst of people. While there will always be those who will go out of their way to be humanity's brightest stars, there are others that exemplify mankind's biggest weaknesses. While we always need to be on guard against such malicious agents, it's not always possible to defend one's self against more cunning individuals. That's why Facebook is applying a dash of machine learning to give Messenger users a bit of confidence or at least warn them if something is a miss.

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In late April, Facebook introduced Messenger Rooms, a new video chatting feature that enables up to 50 people to participate in the same group call. The feature was introduced as demand for video messaging services has skyrocketed, joining Skype, Zoom, and other similar platforms. The latest WhatsApp beta adds an integration with this feature.

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Facebook has a bitmoji-like system ready to roll in the USA starting today called Facebook Avatars. They'll be delivering this system via Facebook in Messenger and in the Messenger app and webpage. If you're using Messenger anywhere, right now, you'll likely have access now or very soon. If this system is everything we've been told so far, there's little reason why Facebook wouldn't use Niantic's Pokemon GO system of accessory sales for users of all sorts in the very near future.

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The importance of a good brand name is important to the highest degree, especially when it comes to marketing at times of extreme stress. Over the past few weeks, during an unprecedented global event (COVID-19 pandemic, that is to say), the name "ZOOM" became synonymous with simple, one-tap video conferencing. Google's got the capacity, technology, and knowledge to make a video conferencing system rivaling that of Zoom, but until now, they didn't have the right brand.

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Facebook released free-to-use Messenger Rooms, allowing multiple people to do video chat in a single array of windows at one time. Using this platform is relatively simple if all users already have a Facebook account and/or a Facebook Messenger account, allowing a potentially quick adoption by masses of users in the very near future. This is clearly Facebook's as-fast-as-possible reaction to the sweeping popularity of systems like Zoom - and other video chatroom platforms - in the wake of COVID-19, global pandemic, and remote working during quarantine.

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The Facebook app "Messenger Kids" released several feature updates as well as a news alert that they'd expanded service to a number of new regions. They've suggested that they've responded to parent requests for updates, that they've brought software changes according to recommendations from their "Youth Advisers" and important people in child-related leadership roles. But it's still a social networking app run by Facebook whose most likely ultimate goal is to bring new users into the fold.

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