Now that Facebook Messenger is the only way to chat on Facebook, with chat functionality removed from the official Facebook app, we thought it was high time we started sharing some usability tips for Messenger, especially now that we no longer have a choice not to use it.
As you probably know, Facebook Messenger recently added free calling functionality, but it can also send short audio clips too, in the same way as we've all been doing with WhatsApp for, like, ever. Simply tap the microphone icon to bring up your record button and make a voice notation. The message will be sent automatically as soon as you're done.
If there's a crew you talk to all the time, then why not bypass the app launching altogether and pin a group chat shortcut to your home screen? Just go to your Groups tab where you can select an existing group or create a new one and tap the little menu button on the top right of the Group tile. From here simply select ''Create shortcut'' to have a chat group shortcut added to your home screen.
Did you know you can take a photo direct from the keyboard in Messenger? See that little camera icon? Tap that to turn your keyboard space into a mini viewfinder (which you can also expand). You can switch between the front or back mounted cameras and snap a quick pic with the vertical send button rather oddly placed right in the middle of the viewfinder. Tap the little image icon next to the camera to choose from previously taken pics.
If you're feeling a little like Miley Cyrus and have a need for a particularly big thumbs up, then just press and hold the Like button to inflate the size of your thumb. If a simple Like won't do the trick then hit that little emoji button at the end of the text entry field, hit your sticker collection or revert to your device's emoji supported keyboard for a bit more expressive flair.
If you want a super easy way to let your friends know where you are Facebook has added a little location icon to the side of the text entry field, right there next to the smiley selector. As long as it is blue your friends will be able to see where you are. Simply hit the overflow menu button at the top right of the screen and tap ''View map'' to bring up your friend's current location. To see where they were when they sent you a message, just tap the message itself. If you don't want to share your location at all, head to your settings and uncheck the Location box.
No comments: