Zoom has been one of the most apps amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for holding meetings. Now, it seems like Facebook is giving the platform some competition with Messenger Rooms.
With Messenger Rooms, a user can host group calls of up to 50 persons that anyone can join. Instead of inviting persons individually, users can post links on their pages, News Feeds, and Groups. What’s more, one doesn’t need to have a Messenger app or even to be a member of Facebook to join a chat room.
When a chat room is created, anyone who wants to can join via his/her browser, though hosts can opt to lock chat rooms to prevent party crashers.
The Messenger Rooms will have Zoom-like features as well. It will have immersive 360-degree backgrounds, and it comes with a 14 new camera filters that offer ambient lighting to brighten your space and face.
Facebook also said that there would be no time limit for video chats that can be scheduled in advance. Messenger Rooms will roll out soon, and in the coming weeks, it will be available in the US.
This update comes as Facebook says that it has seen a massive increase in calling across its chat apps, with 700+ million people making calls on Facebook and WhatsApp.
That being said, on WhatsApp, Facebook is planning to increase the number of people making a call on the platform, from four to eight. This update will most probably launch next week.
Additionally, Facebook announced that it would integrate Messenger’s video calling into Facebook Dating so that users can participate in “virtual dates” while they can’t play IRL get-togethers. This update will be released in the coming months.