After Apple, Facebook too, has entered the Messenger game.
Apple had launched iMessage to take on the exclusive Blackberry Messenger only months ago for iOS enabled devices.
Now, Facebook, with Messenger for iPhone and Android, offers messaging built into the social network.
According to Facebook, the new standalone Messenger software is part of Facebook's aim in becoming a communications hub on phones.
The app allows users to include photos and location coordinates in messages, and also lets users send text messages to phone numbers - much like Blackberry Messenger.
According to Andrew Bosworth, a Facebook product director: "One click from the home screen is a valuable trait…built specifically for mobile-to-mobile. Our messages stuff was built for a convergence between mobile and Web and e-mail and a bunch of other things."
However, profitable texting plans and per message fees will be an aspect to consider. "SMS to SMS: those are controlled by the carriers," Bosworth said in an interview "That's a closed loop."
Apple will similarly feature a mobile app called iMessage into iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, going beyond cell carrier infrastructure, and will allow free text messages to other users of Apple devices.
