Facebook revealed Thursday that it is expanding its Messenger Rooms and Facebook Live apps. It aims to allow users to broadcast live with up to 50 people.
It was allowing the social network to compete with services. For instance, Zoom and Google Meet as video conferencing grow in popularity despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in its Messenger Rooms and Facebook Live.
The “joinable community video calls” can connect directly from Facebook or Messenger. And then, even if they are not on Facebook, room owners will be able to invite the participants.
Participants will be invited by the room creator and have to opt-in to take part in the call, and creators can lock their room to prevent “Zoom-bombing.”
People outside the Messenger Room “the see what’s going on in the room depending on the audience, and where the room is shared on Facebook.” But, the room creator can monitor “where the room is shared on Facebook. Then, it can watch the broadcast and participate who invites it.”
Facebook said in a statement that the feature will launch Thursday in some countries. And, it will ultimately expand to all regions where Messenger Rooms are available.
Zoom Stock Shares Fell
Zoom stock shares fell 5% Thursday in response to the Facebook announcement.
Video conferencing tools have surged in popularity as the pandemic has forced people to work and socialize remotely, with Zoom’s business dramatically rising while competitors like Google and Microsoft expand their video features to compete.
Zoom said it had hit 300 million daily meeting participants in April. It was up from just 10 million in December. Meanwhile, Microsoft Teams saw a 70 percent rise in April to 75 million active daily users.
The Facebook announcement is the company’s second update to Messenger in recent days, after unveiling new privacy features on Wednesday. It will allow users to need fingerprint or face ID authentication to access their messages.
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