While it’s only very small scale at this point in time, some Facebook users in Europe have begun receiving notifications that they’ll no longer be able to use in-app messaging. The only real alternative is to install the Facebook Messenger app to maintain that messaging capability with Facebook contacts.
It’s another step for Facebook to show that they are pushing forward with their messaging platform after forking out a whopping US$19 billion for WhatsApp. For some users this may be a blessing in disguise, for others it’s just another reason to use Google+ more. Regardless of what you think of Facebook and their apps, if you use them, you’re not going to have any say in the matter before long. The statement received by The Verge states that this is not a trial; it is the transition of messaging out of the core Facebook app, being pushed out to all users who access the service via mobile platforms.
The promising bit in all of this is that the Facbook app will no doubt be a more reliable, faster and cleaner experience when their core app is updated and no longer has the need for messaging inside it. The only users that will be exempt from this are users who have “low powered Android devices” that are incapable of running the Messenger app.
An interesting move by Facebook, but is it the right move?
