Today's Facebook Messenger update comes less than two weeks after Apple announced a new video messaging feature for iOS 8 at WWDC. Just like Apple's implementation, Facebook's lets you record video clips directly from within the Messenger app and then send them instantly.

To send video in Facebook Messenger, just tap the camera icon above the keyboard - the same one you would usually use to send photos. Instead of tapping the "Send" button to take a picture, tap and hold it and it will begin recording. As soon as you lift your finger, the video will be sent.

Facebook's slowly rolling out this Messenger update to both iOS and Android devices, so don't worry if it's not showing up on your updates list yet

Google Play

Announced by Facebook. Starting today, you can create a Messenger account with just your name and phone number, and start messaging your mobile contacts.

Just install the app and tap Get Started to reach your contacts faster, start group conversations, share photos and more.

An update to Messenger for Android is available today, and Messenger accounts will become available over the next few weeks.

What this means is the Facebook Messenger now can be used among basic SMS-replacement apps like WhatsApp and Handcent. It's really clean way of messaging folks on  your phone contacts, and you don't need to worry opening multiple messenger apps.

Please update the app directly from your phone to visit the link here.

Facebook has been under intense pressure to take over the phones of the users. This is evidenced by Chat Heads, Facebook Home, Messenger Apps and official updates. It has even gone further and started offering full voice calls for free to the Messenger users in the United States. This same feature was last month offered to Canadians. The service requires that Facebook messenger should be naturally installed. If you want to initiate call, you simply have to head in to the list of contacts, open a message, and then hit "I" which is at the top right corner. Once you have done this, you will see "Free Call" option in the list.

The user can receive call for free if the "Free Call" is white. If it is gray, that is an indication that your friend cannot receive calls. This new feature which does not require update of applications should at the present be rolling out to the users.

Link: Google Play Store