Facebook has rolled out public availability of their video calling software which is integrated into Facebook messenger. Called as Messenger Rooms, it allows you to host video calling up-to 50 people with invite feature.
Messenger Rooms: Features
Messenger Room is launched back in April and now Facebook has made this tool available for everyone.
- Video calling up to 50 people
- Invite members to group call using link
- Member can join via all Facebook apps including Instagram, WhatsApp & Portal.
- Room creator can control setting
- Lots of privacy focused settings.
You can start a room from Messenger or Facebook, and soon you’ll be able to create and join rooms from Instagram Direct, WhatsApp and Portal too. The person who creates the room controls the settings for who can join, how easy a room is to find and whether to enable or share a link. The default privacy settings were designed to be consistent with what you’d expect for where you create a room. For example, rooms you create through a Facebook Group are open by default to members of that Group.
Messenger Rooms Privacy Matters post.
Privacy Features of Messenger Rooms
Below is the list of key privacy features directly from Facebook blog post.
- Locking: Rooms can be locked or unlocked once a call begins. If a room is locked, no one else can join, except a Group admin for rooms created through a Group.
- Removing a participant: The room creator can remove any unwanted participants. If the room creator removes someone from the call or leaves, the room will lock automatically and the room creator must unlock the call for others to join.
- Leaving: If at any point you feel unsafe in a room, you can leave. Even room is locked by admin, you can leave if you wish.
- Reporting: You can report a room name or submit feedback about a room if you believe it violated our Community Standards.
- Blocking: You can block someone on Facebook or Messenger who may be bothering you and we won’t inform them.
How to create your personal Room in Messenger?
You need to have latest Messenger app on any platform you want to create meeting room from. Below are links of Facebook Messenger app on major app stores.
WhatsApp getting Messenger Rooms shortcut
Facebook is deeply integrating Messenger Rooms feature in WhatsApp. As reported by WABetaInfo.com, WhatsApp is getting shortcuts everywhere for Rooms. Let’s have a look at below slideshow. WhatsApp Video calling now offers to join Rooms as well.
Images courtesy of WABetaInfo.com post
Messenger Rooms in WhatsApp are not available for public and only available in the US currently. Very soon, it is expected to roll out for globe. We will let you know once WhatsApp start displaying Messenger Rooms shortcut for everyone.
Till then, do not forget to share this news with friends and let us know if you have any updates or feedback about this news. Read our previous post on Google Duo, Google Meet, Zoom and JioMeet also.
