[ad_1]
Facebook today launched a new service, Messenger Rooms, that will allow you to meet friends in virtual “rooms”, a sign that competition is intensifying around Zoom, the video conferencing software that has won millions of users confined to their homes. because of the pandemic.
Users of the social network will be able to invite up to 50 people, whether or not they have a Facebook account, in the same “room” for as long as they want, said Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of the platform, on Friday.
Facebook has around 2.5 billion users worldwide.
Unlike work video conferencing tools like Zoom, Messenger Rooms was designed to socialize with friends and family, whether it’s for birthdays, happy hours, book clubs, or parent groups.
“It was designed to be more fortuitous and spontaneous,” Zuckerberg told AFP.
“I just keep a window open on my computer or on the phone, and people come in who wouldn’t normally be able to call me,” he explained.
The launch comes amidst the advancement of Zoom, designed as a commercial video platform, and other online chat services, such as connections during confinement.
Facebook users will be able to create virtual rooms and decide who to invite.
Rooms include augmented reality effects like rabbit ears and aliens, as well as simulated backgrounds.
In an unusual step, those without Facebook accounts or apps can visit Messenger Rooms.
“People can send a link to their grandmother or whoever,” said Zuckerberg. For those who don’t have the app, the link will open in a browser, he explained.
Facebook has provided security mechanisms to prevent unwanted visitors from entering virtual rooms, which happened at Zoom. “We have the advantage of establishing a secure perimeter,” said Zuckerberg.
Messenger Rooms is expected to be available to nearly 2.5 billion Facebook users worldwide on Facebook in the coming weeks.
The social media giant also plans to create “rooms” from the Instagram and WhatsApp messaging platforms, part of the technology group.
Facebook will also double to eight the number of people who can simultaneously participate in WhatsApp group video calls.
Another feature to be launched is to include in the Facebook dating service an option to invite people to virtual dating through Messenger video chat.
