Facebook will launch a competing Zoom platform that allows up to 50 people to talk on video.
The platform, called Messenger Rooms, allows anyone with a Facebook profile to create a meeting and invite friends, even friends who are not Facebook users.
Video conferencing has become a daily occurrence now that people are isolated at home. In this way, many of us continue to work, attend classes, talk to family and friends.
Zoom immediately became popular for this reason. To date, there are 300 million users per day.
Facebook has the potential to serve a larger audience. Messenger and ËhatsApp, both owned by Facebook, have registered 700 million people calling by voice or other video users.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Friday that the ability to talk on video "has become very important during pandemics." Beyond video conferencing for work, he said, "there are also social uses for people to stay close to each other."
Messenger Rooms is similar to Zoom in design and works the same way. Participants can join the conversation without downloading the app. It is also inspired by elements of Housparty: Facebook users will be notified of "rooms" created by their friends and can join if they want.
While those who do not have Facebook, can join the meetings through a link.
Messenger Rooms will be available worldwide within a few weeks.
Source: NPR
