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Facebook Messenger Gains Siri Integration, Audio and Video Voice Messages and More

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Facebook today announced several updates for its Messenger platform, introducing Siri call integration, new AI features, support for HD video calls, and audio and video voice messages.

facebook-messenger-new-features.jpg

iPhone users can now ask Siri to make a call or send a message through the Messenger app. "Hey Siri, send a message to [person] on Messenger" will now work for hands-free calls. This is a feature that Apple has offered for some time, but Messenger did not support it until now.

Facebook is also adding audio and video voice messages, mirroring a FaceTime feature that Apple introduced with iOS 17. Messenger users can leave audio or voice messages when a Messenger call isn't picked up.

Messenger now supports HD video calls, background noise suppression, and voice isolation for clearer call quality when using Messenger. HD is enabled by default for calls made on Wi-Fi, and it can be added for cellular calls as well in the Messenger settings.

In the near future, Messenger will support AI backgrounds in Messenger video calls. Creating a personalized AI background can be done by tapping on the effects icon in the sidebar of a video call and choosing the "Backgrounds" option.

More information about the new Messenger announcements can be found on Facebook's website.

Article Link: Facebook Messenger Gains Siri Integration, Audio and Video Voice Messages and More
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2024/11/20/facebook-messenger-siri-integration/
Settings → Apps → Messenger → Siri → Use with Siri Requests <OFF>

At least that *ought* to do it. I'm sure not going to test it!
 
I really just want to use Messenger instead of WhatsApp. Whatever happened to Meta’s messaging interop? Messenger and Instagram DMs were unified, then broken up.
 
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louis^ said:
The Facebook Messenger is a privacy nightmare
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I'm growing weary of it. I have Facebook and Messenger apps installed (necessary evil to communicate with some of my family).

Recently, Facebook has been offering up friend suggestions of people that I have only ever texted outside of Messenger. How in the world did Facebook make that connection if it's not somehow monitoring my phone activity?

I've managed to purge myself from Twitter/X, and couldn't be happier. Facebook might be next. I already don't use Facebook for casual entertainment, only for keeping in touch with certain peeps.
 
ipedro said:
I really just want to use Messenger instead of WhatsApp. Whatever happened to Meta’s messaging interop? Messenger and Instagram DMs were unified, then broken up.
Click to expand...

Why do you prefer Messenger over WhatsApp? If I had to choose, I'd choose WhatsApp.

But hmmm..... oh! That's how Facebook learned of my connections (as per my last comment)... it's monitoring my WhatsApp activity!!!
 
coolfactor said:
I'm growing weary of it. I have Facebook and Messenger apps installed (necessary evil to communicate with some of my family).

Recently, Facebook has been offering up friend suggestions of people that I have only ever texted outside of Messenger. How in the world did Facebook make that connection if it's not somehow monitoring my phone activity?

I've managed to purge myself from Twitter/X, and couldn't be happier. Facebook might be next. I already don't use Facebook for casual entertainment, only for keeping in touch with certain peeps.
Click to expand...
If your Facebook account is old enough, your phone’s address book was automatically synced without asking. I know it sounds absurd nowadays, but I can assure that because I did some deep research about it back in the days (I wrote a book about Facebook in 2009) and when I found it (it was rather hidden) I couldn’t believe it. I remember it quite well as I created a group to raise awareness and see if could push Facebook to change that. I thought they did.
 
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coolfactor said:
Why do you prefer Messenger over WhatsApp? If I had to choose, I'd choose WhatsApp.
Click to expand...
I know it’s absurd but I hate the stupid WhatsApp punny name. Messenger is also more Apple-like in its clean design and branding. Otherwise, both apps perform the same tasks but part of Europe uses WhatsApp, another part uses Messenger and North America is on iMessage. Meta owns two of those, so it would be nice if they made theirs interoperable like they said they would in… 2019 🙃

www.nytimes.com

Zuckerberg Plans to Integrate WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger (Published 2019)

Facebook’s chief executive has asserted control over its sprawling divisions and mandated the social network’s messaging services be knitted together.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com
 
coolfactor said:
Recently, Facebook has been offering up friend suggestions of people that I have only ever texted outside of Messenger. How in the world did Facebook make that connection if it's not somehow monitoring my phone activity?
Click to expand...
Most likely, these people allowed the Facebook app to access their contacts, which happened to have your info. I'm guessing Facebook also knows your number (for security/2FA purposes), so they put the two and two together that way.

That's exactly what happened when I signed up for Venmo a while back. They require your phone number, and the app asked if it could access my contacts so it could suggest friends who are already on Venmo. I declined it, yet it still showed a bunch of people I know...some I haven't even talked to in 10+ years.

So while you may be the best person on the planet about protecting your privacy, it's all the other people who have you as contact that screw it up by giving apps access to their contacts.
 
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iStorm said:
Most likely, these people allowed the Facebook app to access their contacts, which happened to have your info. I'm guessing Facebook also knows your number (for security/2FA purposes), so they put the two and two together that way.

That's exactly what happened when I signed up for Venmo a while back. They require your phone number, and the app asked if it could access my contacts so it could suggest friends who are already on Venmo. I declined it, yet it still showed a bunch of people I know...some I haven't even talked to in 10+ years.

So while you may be the best person on the planet about protecting your privacy, it's all the other people who have you as contact that screw it up by giving apps access to their contacts.
Click to expand...

No, he's literally using WhatsApp and giving his entire contact list away to Meta who also owns Messenger. It's pretty straightforward.
 
ipedro said:
No, he's literally using WhatsApp and giving his entire contact list away to Meta who also owns Messenger. It's pretty straightforward.
Click to expand...
Ah, I missed that part. Thought they were using Messenger and regular texting. My point is still valid though. Companies can also get information about you through other people who have you as a contact.
 
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This cracked me up. Can't wait for Siri to send what she found on the web to my iPhone when I ask her to send 'hallo' to my wife on Messenger.
 
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