Facebook Messenger Launches Free Video Calling

Facebook has launched video calling in a bid to challenge rivals such as Skype, Google Hangouts and FaceTime, while producing an all-encompassing messaging service rivaling Asia’s Line and WeChat. The new feature is a part of Facebook Messenger, and allows for free video calling between friends through both LTE and Wi-Fi. On Messenger, the video call button now exists on the top right corner, and a simple tap allows you to call your friend. According to Stan Chudnovsky, Messenger’s Head of Product, the feature was developed to work with even low bandwidth cell networks, so videos are still crisp with low reception. Video calling is just another addition to the ever-growing roster of features on the budding messenger system, which accounts for over 600 million monthly active users, who are already making 10 percent of all Internet-based calls. However, while Facebook isn’t profiting from this, they are ensuring that users stick to Facebook as a main form of communication.