Facebook to require you to download Messenger for mobile chats

In the coming days, you will no longer be able to chat using the main Facebook app. Facebook is asking you to spare more space on your smartphones and tablets for its Messenger app.  The company claims using Messenger would be a faster experience for mobile users. They said that people reply about 20 percent faster when using a separate app. The Messenger app also lets you make free calls over Wi-Fi, whether domestic or international calls. If you’re still not too keen to download another app for Facebook use, you can still access your messages on the Web browser. But if that’s fine with you and you still don’t have Messenger, it is available on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.

Source: iDownloadBlog

The friendship bracelet gets an update with Facebook

Lollapalooza isn’t the only one bringing tech into its music festival. Belgium’s Tomorrowland festival is turning its festival wristband into a modern day equivalent to a Facebook friendship bracelet. Festival goers will receive the wristband in the mail and will be invited to register online and link their Facebook accounts. This will let them make connections with people they meet at Tomorrowland. They can make connections by simply pressing a heart button on the wristband at the same time. Those connections will be included in an email that will let them pick who they want to add or not.

Source: The Verge

iPad finally gets Facebook Messenger

It took Facebook a while but now iPad users are getting the standalone Messenger app. You can now use the iPad to shoot silly videos to send to your friends and save these on the device’s Camera Roll; send free texts and calls; as well as share photos and voice messages. It might even be easier to use the app on the larger screen. You can download Facebook Messenger here.

Source: Gizmodo

Facebook's answer to Snapchat, the Slingshot App now available globally

Facebook announced that its new Creative Labs app, Slingshot, is available internationally.  Slingshot lets users quickly share moments—little and big—with lots of people at once. It’s a new kind of feed where everyone is a creator. You start by shooting a photo or video of what you're up to and then sling it to a bunch of friends. Friends won’t be able to see your shot in their feed until they sling something to you. Will this new functionality catch on? Only time will tell, Facebook seems to think that this is how many users prefer to communicate.

Check out http://www.sling.me/ and the Slingshot team’s blog for more information.  Slingshot in available in English on iPhone (iOS7) and Android (Jelly Bean and KitKat).