 "Facebook testing a slick new look for Messenger for Android")
Facebook is all set to bolster SMS and mobile-to-mobile messaging with the Messenger for Android application. The social network is testing a whole new, redesigned Messenger application with a handful of people on Android in order to try and be the go-to app for all things messaging.
“As more and more people use Facebook to connect with their friends on mobile, we are focused on building the best mobile products. Facebook messaging started as a desktop chat experience, but when it comes to messaging on mobile, people want something faster and lighterweight,” explained the Facebook team in a blog post. In order to build on the faster and lighter experience, Facebook seems to have stripped the Messenger application down to the very basic design elements that make it look a lot cleaner.
Sleek and efficient
More interestingly, Facebook seems to be keen on making the app a hub for not just IMs but also SMS. While this feature has been around for a while, Facebook is now laying a lot more emphasis on it. Using Messenger for Android, you will be able to message your friends and family who do not use Facebook at all. All you’ll have to do is confirm your number and allow Facebook access to your address book.
Facebook is using the term “mobile-to-mobile” to describe all kinds of conversations that can take place using smartphones. Whether the person you’re trying to contact is on Messenger too or simply available on SMS, you will need just your Messenger app to contact them.
This new Facebook philosophy has also trickled into the app’s redesign now. You will be able to see your contacts who do use Messenger having a little blue dot with the horizontal lightning styled app icon next to their names. Say you have a contact who isn’t on your friend list but you’re using Messenger to drop him a line. If he uses Messenger too, your message will drop right into the app instead of in the SMS folder. If your contact doesn’t use a smartphone or doesn’t have Messenger enabled to give him push notifications, he will not get a lightning bolt next to his name.
Within Messenger too, you will now simply be able to swipe between recent conversations, list of people you message and settings, making it easy to use. The minimalistic version of the app also centres around visual cues, images and stickers, making it look very appealing.
If you’re not already seeing an update with this new change, Facebook may take a while to roll it out to you. Because it seems to be testing it with a wide enough audience, it looks like its only a matter of time before more people get to use the revamped Messenger for Android app, give or take some changes. Facebook may even think of bringing this look to iOS someday too.
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