First there was MySpace and Bebo, then came along Facebook. Now everything from your computer to your phone can have Facebook on it, be it the social website or just the messaging aspect of the social site. Now it would seem that users are able to use the messaging platform, without having a Facebook account.
Starting next week users in the US, Canada, Venezuela and Peru will be given the option to sign up to Facebook messenger by just providing their full name and phone number. While it can still be used with a Facebook account, this allows users who don’t want to sign up and create an account have access to and use their messaging services.
Signing up to Facebook is still encouraged so users can take “advantage of multi-device messaging across mobile devices, the web and tablets”. This would appear that while your name and number lets you log in and use the messaging app on your phone, you still won’t be able to access or use chat on PC based versions of Facebook, maybe even to the point where the conversations aren’t shared amongst the devices associated with that number.
Previously announced plans outlined messenger being enabled to allow businesses to have a platform on the messenger app, to not only communicate but also to receive information such as order confirmations and status updates.
With the app being expanded to businesses and non-Facebook users, it’s clear that they want to include as many people and companies in communicating through their products. Can you see yourself asking for details from your online retailers through Facebook?
Thank you Facebook for providing us with this information.
