With our workplaces and schools confined to our homes, group chats and video calls are the new normal post the spread of the coronavirus. Thanks to this, we have numerous video communication platforms, from both new and old brands, becoming a staple in our household. Currently, the Zoom meetings app sits at No.1 on the app store but Facebook’s Messenger Rooms is gearing up to change that.
Technically developed by Facebook back in 2014, Rooms was introduced for users to create spaces and invite other users into that space for personal as well as professional purposes, while also given the option to be anonymous. This was shut down in December 2014. Things, however, took a turn during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Facebook reintroduced a video conferencing system under the same name in April 2020.
Much like the Zoom app, Facebook too would enable you to start video calling friends and family through a link on your newsfeed or groups/events page. But after their most recent dip from the 10th position to the 15th position on the U.S. app store, the company has decided to revamp their version to improve rankings while also incorporating new and improved features for better user satisfaction and experience.
In the newest version of Messenger Rooms, users will now find the Rooms they have been invited to at the top of their chat box in order to find them easily. The option of creating a Room has also been made easier by displaying the option at the center of the chatbox. You will also be able to set future start dates and customize audience selection. In addition to this, you will also be able to join, edit, delete, and invite other users through the "Manage Rooms" feature.
In terms of personalization, Messenger Rooms are now enabling fun frames and customized backgrounds where you can use your own pictures and other multimedia as backgrounds, in addition to previously offered options like lighting filters and 360-degree backgrounds.
With many video conferencing apps like Zoom, Google meets, Houseparty, etc, Facebook is rolling out different options like Instagram Reels and Messenger Rooms to facilitate superior social video chatting experience in order to maintain its top app status. Earlier this month, it also began integrating chat systems for Instagram and Messenger, to help the latter retain its app status.