Facebook did something that didn’t result in millions of people whining about their unfair practices — they made it possible for non-Facebook users to use Facebook Messenger.Some will say that they saw this as a logical next step when Facebook made Messenger into a separate app, forcing us to install the app if we wanted to access messages on mobile devices.
I didn’t see this coming, but it’s an inspired move. It opens up the app as a completely separate service, circumventing the need for a Facebook account. For those people out there who have been avoiding getting a Facebook account, Messenger is now an option.
The way this works is that you download the app and when you go to sign in, you choose the “not on Facebook?” (which will allow you to sign up with your name and phone number). You’ll have access to all of the features of Facebook Messenger, including the newly-announced one of making payments. The downside is that you’ll have to “find” your friends through your phone’s contacts list. And, of course, you won’t be able to access your messages on the web.
This is an interesting step for Facebook. I’m wondering if the terms of service for Messenger are going to be different too. Let’s wait and see.
* * *
NOTES
- Source: Sign Up for Messenger, Without a Facebook Account | Facebook
- Source: You no longer need a Facebook account to use Facebook Messenger | Mashable
- Source: Facebook made a huge move this week that could lead to its next billion-dollar business | VentureBeat
- Source: Facebook Messenger Adds Peer-to-Peer Payments Feature | Re/Code
- Image source: Kaboompics / Pixabay
- Related Post: Facebook fixes location sharing in Messenger | SandraSays
Leave a Reply