The Future of Messaging Apps: Commerce 2:03
Following WeChat's success in linking its messaging app to shopping and other services, U.S. tech companies such as Facebook are investing in adding new features to their chat apps. Photo: Getty.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is looking at ways to expand Messenger and is using Australia as a testbed for several new features. Picture: AFP/Josh Edelson
EXCLUSIVE
THE world’s biggest social media website is again using Australia as a testbed for new features, and is rolling out a bulletin board-style, real-time messaging feature to Australian users.
The addition to Facebook’s Messenger app is called Rooms, and is designed to allow users to swap messages with strangers on a specific topic.
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Facebook Messenger product manager Drew Moxon said the new chat feature was designed to stop annoying your friends about interests you’re not certain they share with you.
Facebook will launch a new Messenger feature in Australia this week, in which people who aren't friends can discuss specific topics.Source:Supplied
Facebook Messenger users can already set up groups, he said, but they’re typically only private conversations between friends.
“Group chats today are focused on people you know — friends and family — and what we’ve found by talking to users is there’s a lot of need for conversations about specific topics,” Mr Moxon said.
“This will be for topic-based conversations and so people can talk with others they may not know.”
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Picture: AFPSource:AFP
Messenger Rooms could be public conversations about topics such as Formula One, an Apple Keynote event, or an election, though users will also be able to make a Room private so users must be formally approved by an administrator.
The Messenger Rooms feature began rolling out to Australian users with Google Android phones yesterday, and will also be tested in Canada.
The new feature comes after Facebook recently launched a Snapchat-like feature called My Day to the Messenger platform, which it also tested early in Australia.
Mr Moxon said the company was “trying a lot of things” to meet the demands of its real-time messaging users.