Facebook's answer to Zoom and Houseparty is Messenger Rooms

[Shawn Knight]

The big picture: Facebook has seen the demand for real-time video skyrocket in recent weeks as more and more people are turning to technology to remain connected while practicing social distancing. Between Messenger and WhatsApp, the company said more than 700 million accounts are participating in calls every day.

To help people feel more like they are together when video chatting (and let’s be honest – to help fend off competitors like Zoom and Houseparty), Facebook is rolling out a new feature called Messenger Rooms.

With Messenger Rooms, you’ll be able to create a virtual hangout right from Facebook or Messenger and invite anyone to join, even if they don’t have a Facebook account. You can even share your room on Facebook through the News Feed, Events or Groups so others can pop in and out at their leisure. Optionally, you can remove people from a call or lock a room down if you want a bit of privacy.

Speaking of, Facebook said it built Rooms with security and privacy in mind.

If you join a chat through the Messenger app, you’ll have additional access to features like AR effects, mood lighting and 360-degree backgrounds.

A Rooms chat can accommodate up to 50 people and isn’t restricted by time limits. Facebook said it soon plans to add the ability to create rooms from Instagram Direct, WhatsApp and Portal for even more flexibility.

Facebook will be rolling out Messenger Rooms in select countries this week with plans for a global launch in the coming weeks.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/84986-facebook-answer-zoom-houseparty-messenger-rooms.html

 

[Shaun2312]

I'd much rather a Zoom account than a Facebook account

 

[Ludak021]

Zoom has the advantage of not being needed by everyone for zoom meeting, only the initiator. The rest get a web link to a season and they can participate without having to actually have zoom installed, or even know what it is.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

The biggest problem with ZOOM is the security issues.

Furthermore, most schools disallow Facebook because of the level of smut Facebook has - as well as the cyberbullying issues.

Facebook is determined to be a massive data mining operation and they want access to everyone: adult and child.

I refuse to use either.

smuckerberg will get nothing from me but dank memes.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

I trust Fuc%erberg less than the Chinese.

 

[Soulburn74]

Most of the security holes in zoom have been plugged over the last month or so. I know they still have a bad rap (for good reason obviously)..... but they are getting there........ You can now choose which region you want your zoom session to occur in (I.e. if you are in the US, you can force a US server), and if you run a wireshark, you can verify that......

 

[Gaara]

I used Signal is way better and is encrypted end to end what ever you do, is stay in your table or phone. Signal doesn't stored any information.

 

[Uncle Al]

Naaaaaa .... I would rather spend time talking to my cats .....

 

[QuantumPhysics]

I trust Fuc%erberg less than the Chinese.

100% agree with you.