Just as Facebook’s hold on the networking world was beginning to slip, the company has come out with a new way to entice Facebook fans. Facebook now has a messenger app that’s available for both Apple and Android phones. This app is free, and gives Facebook messenger users a way to communicate with anyone on their Facebook friend list for free – something that cell phone companies don’t care for too much.

Facebook has been playing around with its messenger system for awhile now. First, the new messenger bar appeared on the right side of Facebook home pages everywhere. Now, Facebook has entered the smartphone market with its new messenger app. Could this be enough to save the social network from oblivion? Many seem to think so.

How the App Works

Facebook’s new messenger app is quite simple. This may be one of the main reasons why it’s also one of the top selling apps in the Apple Store. At the time of this writing, the app has gained 3.5 stars in the Apple Store out of a possible 5 stars – in addition to more than 600 user reviews.

To use the app, simply download it from your Android Marketplace or Apple Store. Then, start chatting away with any of your Facebook friends who also have the app. Texting this way is free, and there’s a good chance that everyone you know has a Facebook account, so there’s no need to worry about not being able to catch someone on the new Facebook chat.

User-Friendliness

The nice thing about the new Facebook app is that it’s really easy to use. To set up the app (after download) enter your Facebook username and password. You will then be asked to provide Facebook with your cell phone number. Once you’ve logged into your account, you will see your Facebook mailbox. At the top right-hand side of the app, a small writing icon will appear.

Click on the writing icon, select a friend’s name, and write your message. You can choose to add your location to the message or skip that step. Once the message has been sent, the person who is to receive the message will be notified. You can set up your own notifications to alert you of a new message every hour or at other intervals.

When a message arrives, your phone will buzz or sound depending on the selection that you have made. The whole thing is simple and painless, which is one of the reasons why this app has blown up over night.

A Way For Facebook to Make a Comeback?

Is the new Facebook messenger app a good way for Facebook to make a comeback? It appears as though the social networking giant has, indeed, gained a number of users by releasing this new app. The one bit of criticism surrounding the app is that there are now two Facebook apps, which can crowd a smartphone.

However, Facebook does plan to integrate the new chat app with its older app, so that you can check for updates and chat all at the same time. One more great feature about the Facebook app that needs to be mentioned: this app is in real-time, so you don’t need to worry about hitting the refresh button every five minutes!