Facebook Messenger has more than 800 million active monthly users; more innovation planned for 2016

Facebook announced today that Facebook Messenger has more than 800 million active monthly users. The company added a lot of new features to the service last year, making it faster and allowing subscribers to send stickers, GIFs, live video, photos and even money to friends, family and co-workers. No longer is a Facebook account required to use the Messenger service.

Messenger users can now customize conversations by using colors, nicknames and emoji. The location of a Messenger subscriber can be more easily shared, and businesses using the service can profit by engaging in more personal relationships with customers using the platform.

David Marcus, VP of Messaging Products, revealed that Facebook has started testing "M," a digital personal assistant which is powered by "human-trained AI." Marcus might have given us a glimpse into the future of the app. "At Messenger we’re thinking about how we can help you interact with businesses or services to buy items (and then buy more again), order rides, purchase airline tickets, and talk to customer service in truly frictionless and delightful ways," says the executive.


Facebook posted an illustration (call it a mini infographic if you'd like) that lists all of the changes made last year, and some of the trends it looks to explore in 2016. 800 million monthly users benefit from the changes made last year, and we expect millions more to enjoy the innovations that will be made in 2016.

source: Facebook via WindowsCentral