New Delhi: Owing to the increasing number of calls being made on Facebook's flagship messaging service Messenger, the company is adding a dedicated "Calls" tab to Messenger. Those using Facebook Messenger for calls would be able to see an update rolling to the Messenger app in the next few weeks that adds a dedicated Calls tab for Android and iOS users. This is aimed at making it easier for frequent callers on Facebook Messenger to make calls via a new call button.
According to Meta, the parent of social networking giant Facebook, calls on its flagship Messenger app have increased by 40 per cent since 2020.
The new dedicated tab for calls on messenger will appear alongside “Chats”, “Stories” and “People” and open up to a list of the user’s contacts. There will be separate buttons for making voice and video calls. Eevn though the change is subtle, but it is more like a step that will make Messenger seem somewhat like a messaging and calling app similar to the style of Whatsapp. Ealier, Messenger users had to open up a separate chat thread with a Facebook friend to call them.
Meanwhile, earlier this year, Meta (formerly Facebook) started rolling out opt-in end-to-end encryption for its flagship Messenger's group chats and calls. However, it will take some more time to roll out default end-to-end encryption for the Messenger chat experience. One of the most useful features is Messenger's new screenshot notifications in end-to-end encrypted chats that will alert users if their messages from Messenger’s disappearing messages are snapped.
"Today, we’re announcing updates for Messenger’s opt-in end-to-end encrypted chats that will help improve your messaging experience," Timothy Buck, Product Manager, Messenger, had earlier said in a statement.