Messenger Lite, the “slimmed-down” version of Messenger-proper has just got some new features that allow users to better express themselves and share more with their friends and family.
Messenger Lite for Android now has over 200 million users, and Facebook is giving it a well-deserved boost with new features – but minus the bloat. The app is still under 10MB, and that’s something people with less powerful Android devices will be thankful of. The app is also great for users on slower data connections but packs the features most people need on Messenger.
The first new feature to be added is animated GIFs. Users on Messenger Lite could receive GIFs up until now, but they weren’t animated. Users can now send, receive, and play animated GIFs. To send a GIF, users will need to add a third party keyboard – i.e. the Google keyboard – search for GIFs in the library, and “send a more expressive message.”
Another new feature is the ability to customise conversations with different people and groups by using colour choices and emojis, making chats “more personal.” For example, as Krish Gali, Product Manager, explains in the announcement of the new features: “Is it a friend’s birthday? Give them a nickname (maybe birthday girl or birthday boy) for a day and make the emoji in the chat a birthday cake.”
All users have to do is tap on the info button in the top right-hand corner to change the colours, nicknames and emojis. They can do so as often as they like. When they make a change though, people they’re chatting with will see the updates.
Lastly, users on Messenger Lite can now share files, pictures, videos, or audio files with others; you can now do so in Messenger Lite. To share a file, all they have to do is tap the “+” sign, select the file they want to send and tap “send.”
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