We Love Facebook Messenger

Facebook or myspace lately jettisoned talk from its individual Facebook or myspace app and pressured customers to obtain the individual Facebook or myspace Courier app for real-time connections with their buddies.

The shift annoyed those who did not want to obtain yet another app (Google lately did the same thing with Drive). But there were also issues about the large amount of authorizations the app asked for upon set up, particularly on Android operating system.

In reaction, Facebook or myspace said "that Android operating system manages the way the authorizations are known as, and the way they're known as does not invariably indicate the way the Courier app and other applications use them."

Specifically, the Android operating system Courier app demands authorization to take images and videos; history audio; get written text messages; and study your connections - all factors you need to get in touch with and communicate with your Facebook or myspace buddies within the app.

So, is it really a big deal? Should you avoid Messenger or is it a handy tool? We polled the PCMag staff to see what they thought about Messenger, and most had good things to say, save for those concerned about the permissions snafu and the extra space eaten up by Messenger. Here's a rundown of their favorite features.


Talk Heads: This function shows your friends information in pop-up pockets - or chat leads - presenting their information pic, even if you're in another app. "I think chat leads is a awesome UI that uses the touch-screen interface in a new way," said Features Manager Evan Dashevsky. Application specialist Eileen Muchmore also prefers chat leads, but "only because you can easily see who's calling you, and easily move it to the end to disregard if you're not fascinated."

Stickers and Emoticons: Decals and smiley encounters are not just for third-graders; they have also made their way into today's most popular chat applications. Muchmore recognized Messenger's stickers and "tons of extra down-loadable categories of tag styles," while News reporter Stephanie Mlot said she prefers "the apparently limitless options of emoticon features. I can show my emotions via cartoon dinosaurs, meals and home goods, or even legendary animals." Application younger specialist Max Eddy, meanwhile, quipped that he "came for the lovely Pusheen cartoon GIFs and I remained for the texting."

Speech Calling: "I keep getting telephone cellphone calls on Facebook or myspace Courier," said PCMag's handling manager for application, He Carroll. Yes, one of the functions available on Courier is 100 % free voice cellphone calls, though you and the individual you're contacting need to be on Wi-Fi. If your buddy is off-line, Courier facilitates voicemail messages, but everyone dislikes voicemail messages now, right?

Those who took problem with Courier, meanwhile, were mostly involved about the additional actions. Features Editor Eric Griffith stated that "I like that I can usually prevent it since they did not take the Courier performance out of the Document app (which is a much better way to study Facebook or myspace, anyway). At least, they have not taken it out YET."