Tag: messenger

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Mobile Syrup

Facebook Messenger introduces multiplayer games during video calls

Facebook is taking another crack at Messenger-enabled games after announcing a new feature that allows users to play multiplayer games within Messenger video calls.

Because let’s be honest, what’s better than a little friendly smack talk in real-time?

The new gaming feature is available on iOS, Android and the web and does not require any specialized installations. It features 14 titles at launch, including Words With Friends, Mini Golf FRVR and Exploding Kittens. All you need to play is one other person, but some games allow for more players to join in on the fun.

The company is taking all the necessary steps to ensure that these games run as smoothly as possible on Messenger. This includes a custom user interface and leaderboards making classic titles feel unique and exciting.

But how do you play? Simply start a video call on Messenger, tap group mode, tap the “play” button and pick the game of your choice.

Users will be happy to know that Facebook Gaming says more free games are slated to release later this year, although dropping 14 titles at launch isn’t too shabby.

After parent company Meta dismantled the standalone Facebook Gaming App in October 2022, it looks like the company is taking another shot at implementing gaming into some of its more popular apps.

Interested developers can contact Facebook’s Partner Manager for more details on how to add games to the platform.

Image credit: Facebook

Source: Facebook Gaming Via: Engadget

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Mobile Syrup

Messenger is finally coming back to the Facebook app

METAVERSE META FACEBOOK. Silhouette of smartphone with Facebook, Messenger, whatsApp, Instagram, Oculus apps and blurred META logo on background. Rebrand of Facebook. Stafford, UK, October 28, 2021

Meta has confirmed that Messenger will be re-added to the Facebook app after several years away.

In 2016, the company made the controversial decision to remove in-app messaging functionality to drive people to its dedicated Messenger app. The return of the feature is being tested among some users now and will be expanded “soon,” Facebook chief Tom Alison wrote in a blog post.

“Over the coming year, we’ll build more ways to integrate messaging features in Facebook,” said Alison. “Ultimately, we want it to be easy and convenient for people to connect and share, whether in the Messenger app or directly within Facebook.”

The move comes as Meta is looking for new ways to compete with TikTok. As part of these efforts, the company has been trying to position itself as a platform for entertainment and discovery, rather than simply social networking. For example, TikTok allows users to share videos directly through in-app messaging, so Meta undoubtedly wants to do something similar with Facebook.

Interestingly, this news was tucked away in a larger blog post about Facebook’s future, which coincides with new reports that the company is planning thousands of layoffs. This also follows Meta’s announcement in November that it plans to cut around 11,000 employees. During all of this, Meta also reportedly lost nearly $14 billion USD (about 19.2 billion CAD) on its plans for the metaverse.

“Contrary to reports otherwise, Facebook is not dead nor dying, but in fact alive and thriving with 2 billion daily active users,” claims Alison. “People are using Facebook for more than connecting with friends and family, but also to discover and engage around what is most important to them.”

Interestingly, Alison didn’t even mention the metaverse in the blog post and instead looked toward AI. “Our investments in AI are unlocking new ways for people to discover great new content on Facebook and share it with the people they care about,” said Alison.

“As our world-class Meta AI research teams continue to make advancements in AI, particularly generative AI, Facebook — and Meta more broadly — will look to bring this transformative technology to billions of people and allow them to create and share in new ways.”

Image credit: Shutterstock

Source: Meta

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Mobile Syrup

Meta partnering with luxury fashion brands for new Avatars Store

Meta is launching an online Avatars Store. This marketplace enables users to purchase digital clothing and show off across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Eva Chen, director of fashion at Instagram, sat down together to make the official announcement. The CEO believes the Avatars Store can become an outlet for users to express themselves. “Digital goods will be an important way to express yourself in the metaverse and a big driver of the creative economy,” Zuckerberg says.

At first, Prada, Balenciaga, and Thom Browne are amongst the first luxury brands Meta is bringing to the Avatars Store. More are likely to come in the future. The conversation between Zuckerberg and Chen shows Meta is offering a range of outfits. These include suits, motocross outfits, logo hoodies, skirts, and more.

As part of the video, Chen debuted a full fit for Zuckerberg’s avatar featuring a cropped shirt, low-rise jeans, and a white belt. This same outfit was also shown on Chen’s avatar, demonstrating the gender-less focus of some if not all items.

If you’re getting flashbacks to the Xbox 360, I wouldn’t blame you. Much of what’s been shown of the Avatars Store harkens back to what Microsoft began offering users during the Xbox 360 era. Avatar support continues on current Xbox consoles. Microsoft partnered with many brands and studios to develop similar digital goods. I suppose what they say is true. History always repeats itself in the fashion world.

The Meta Avatars Store currently does not have a launch date. The company claims that it will be available “soon.” Pricing details on luxury pieces of clothing are still unknown as well.

Image credit: @MetaNewsRoom

Source: @evachen212

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Mobile Syrup

Facebook Messenger’s new bill splitting feature will be U.S. exclusive

Credit: https://messengernews.fb.com/2021/12/03/close-out-the-year-with-messengers-new-expression-tools/

Facebook Messenger will start testing a handy feature to help people slit bills next week, but only in the U.S.

Meta (formerly Facebook) announced the feature in a blog post rounding out the year. Dubbed ‘Split Payments,’ Meta describes it as a handy way to split up payments through a group chat using Messenger. Here’s how it works:

“To use Split Payments, click the “Get Started” button in a group chat or the Payments Hub in Messenger. From there, you can split a bill evenly or modify the contribution amount for each individual — with or without yourself included. After entering a personalized message and confirming your Facebook Pay details, your request will be sent and viewable in your group chat thread.”

Overall, it looks like a handy feature for tackling group payments for things like eating out at a restaurant, paying rent, or other group activities. Of course, you’ll need everyone to use Facebook Pay and Messenger to make this work — if your friend group is anything like mine, that might be hard to pull off.

It’s a bit of a bummer that Split Payments will be U.S.-exclusive at launch, but hopefully that means Meta can work out all the kinks before expanding it to other countries.

Meta’s blog post also detailed new additions to Messenger’s ‘Group Effects’ for video calls. You can check out the full post here.

Image credit: Meta

Source: Meta Via: 9to5Mac