Michal Marek [youtube id=”YiVsDuPa__Q” width=”620″ height=”350″]
Facebook has slowly begun to integrate the video call function into its Messenger, and will thus offer users a simple press of a single button to seamlessly transition from a written conversation directly to a face-to-face conversation. Video calling in Messenger is a free feature that works over Wi-Fi as well as the LTE cellular network. Facebook's goal is to directly compete with rival services Skype from Microsoft, Hangouts from Google and FaceTime from Apple.
Video calls are intended for regular users, but they also fit logically into Zuckerberg's latest initiative with the company's label Facebook for Work. Just like classic calls that have been working through Messenger for a long time, video calls can also be initiated by pressing a special button located in the upper right corner of the conversation screen.
When the call is already underway, you can traditionally switch between the front and rear cameras. Furthermore, there is nothing to describe about the video call itself. In short, the function works as we are used to with competing services.
Video calls only underline the maximum effort of Facebook to become a leader in the field of modern communication. The company uses the potential of 600 million monthly active Messenger users, who already account for 10% of all phone calls transmitted over the Internet. Facebook has recently been trying to encourage calls via Messenger, for example by releasing a special phone "number dial" Hello for Android. The effort to establish Messenger as a popular and distinctive communication service can also be seen in the recent launch of Messenger as separate web applications.
However, Messenger does not yet allow video calls to be used globally in all countries. Facebook launched the service in a total of 18 countries, unfortunately the Czech Republic is not among them. In the first wave we find Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Ireland, Canada, Laos, Lithuania, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Greece, the United States, the United Kingdom and Uruguay. However, other countries should receive the service in the coming months.
