Facebook introduced cross-platform messaging to both Messenger and Instagram last year as part of its efforts to unify the various social media platforms within its ecosystem. As recently revealed via a news update on Messenger’s official website, the social media giant announced that it has added a new group chat feature to further enrich the multi-platform messaging experience, along with several other updates for both platforms.
With the new update, users may now invite friends from both Messenger and Instagram to participate in a group chat. Much like the existing feature on Facebook’s chat platform, typing indicators are visible to participants whenever other members in the group chat are preparing a new message. Similarly, Messenger’s polls function is also available in cross-platform group chats, enabling users to vote on a particular outcome – such as deciding on which video to watch together.
Speaking of which, last year’s Watch Together feature, which allowed Messenger users to view Facebook videos together in real-time, is also added to the cross-platform group chat ability. Naturally, content from Instagram has also been included in the list of videos that can be viewed together.
Other than that, for those who love customising their chat themes, Facebook has added three new ones for both Messenger and Instagram. These include Cottagecore, Astrology, and a theme inspired by Colombian singer J Balvin.
The new features for Messenger and Instagram are available now on Android and iOS platforms. Be sure to keep both apps up to date if you wish to try them out.
(Source: Facebook via Messenger’s official website)
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