Facebook recently launched its newest Mac and Windows desktop feature - group video calling on Facebook Messenger - and it couldn't have come at a better time. With coronavirus keeping everyone inside, using your desktop to make group video calls has become the new norm for those working at home or keeping in touch with family and friends.
With video chat services now being as important as they are, choosing the right one can make all the difference. While Zoom has recently proven to be a popular option for many users, its mounting security concerns have become an issue. As a result, Messenger might be a safer and more economical option and especially for those already invested in the service.
According to Facebook, in the last month alone, there's been a 100% increase in people using their desktop browser for audio and video calling on Messenger. Now with apps on both macOS and Windows, Facebook is offering yet another way for desktop users to connect with each other and the world outside.
In many ways, the Facebook Messenger app for desktop is just a bigger version of the mobile app--with features like chat sync you can use both your mobile phone and your desktop to video chat. With that said, if you're familiar with the mobile app, the desktop version will come as a breeze, and if not, here's some instructions.
After downloading the app, and connecting it to your Facebook account, you can start a group video call by clicking on the "new message" button on the left, directly next to "Messenger." It's the paper to pencil icon. After choosing the contacts or the Facebook group you want to include in the group chat, you click the "video chat" button to the right of the phone icon at the top right of the screen. Once people start joining the call, you'll see them popping up on your screen and if you want to add more people while on a call, simply click the Add button (the plus icon) and choose from your contacts. Having the Facebook contacts are both easier than Zoom, and safer since the only people that can join your call are your friends, eliminating any concern of strangers intruding. Facebook Messenger is great at multitasking as well, as you can join chats while doing other things on your computer, making it easy to stay prepared while in a video conference.
Facebook Messenger is a great alternative to Zoom because it's free and safe. Zoom does have the upper-hand for video conferencing since it's more geared toward businesses (over 100 people can be on one call), while Messenger is for smaller, more intimate groups (8 people maximum for video calls). Although it doesn't have the fun backgrounds like Zoom, Facebook Messenger remains a great option to stay in touch with loved ones, especially in times as limiting as these.
Sources: Facebook
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