Facebook Messenger adds live video broadcasting

Facebook is adding a new feature to Messenger: the ability to share video with friends while conversing with them in the mobile app. Snapchat set the trend and Instagram followed it up when Instagram Stories was introduced.

Messenger has had video calling since 2015, but that feature is a bit bulky and requires that the person you are calling accept the call, much like Apple’s FaceTime and Google Duo, which was released last month. The latest feature is for those times when you don’t necessarily want to make a full-fledged video call, but find that a photo or text won’t do. Even though Facebook’s video feature works a little differently, it still seems like an intentional move to edge in on Snapchat’s territory. Part P-i-P, part conventional video chat, Instant Video is created to ride the coattails of live streaming, which has exploded in popularity over the past year thanks in no small part to Facebook’s original Live Video feature. Adding popular features such as making voice and video calls and sending money to friends has drawn in more users. The video panel floats over the active text conversation, which you can continue while you’re streaming. Today users are watching 10 billion videos a day on Snapchat, rivaling Facebook.

People using Messenger can tap on a video icon to begin sharing real-time video, with the sound turned off by default but easily turned on. Only then will the video button pulse, letting you know you can start an Instant Video. The network suggests that you can use the feature to show a friend a piece of apparel and ask them what they think about it, or see if they can recommend the right food for you to order at a restaurant. However, the app’s developers recognize the potential it had in inviting younger generations to become more involved in Facebook Messenger.