Facebook Messenger application on Android

Hot on the heels of Google+ and its Huddle, there is now the Facebook Messenger App. I suspect it is built on Beluga which Facebook acquired earlier this year.

Huddle is Google’s answer to the BBM type messaging where you can group chat when not everyone is online. When they join a chat, they can see all the chat history and get caught up on the conversation like Wave. Unfortunately, Google seems to be one step behind. Had they implemented a web based Huddle, or tied it into gmail or gtalk, it might have gained some widespread adoption.

Enter Facebook Messenger. Recently, Facebook had merged its chat and messaging features. After all, a message is like an offline chat and a chat archive. While I was having some troubles with the Facebook Android app and some people not receiving my messages, the arrival of the Facebook Messenger app for Android and iPhone seems to have solved the problem. It also allows a web access through it existing interface.

GTalk doesn’t have a huge user base to begin with, although I have been using it a lot more than MSN Messeger myself. Now Facebook Messenger is in the game with everyone using its web interface capable of communicating on that system. That’s a big step up!

While Facebook focuses more on 1 to 1 conversation, Google’s focus on collaboration is Huddle’s saving grace. The ability to catch up on the previous conversation when in a group chat makes it still my number one choice for any kind of group collaboration. That is, if they can have access to the application.

Take heed Google, a web based version of Huddle is needed and soon!