Today Facebook revealed its response to Zoom's crazy growth. It brings Messenger Room with unlimited calls and teleconferences up to 50 people.
In recent weeks our lives revolve around the covid-19 pandemic. Others have lost money and others have found the opportunity to grow. This is also the case with Zoom which saw its traffic literally skyrocket, despite his problems. Giving his free service possibilities for unlimited calls, unlimited time and groups of 100 people, he "beat" all his opponents. Facebook has a similar service, but it is limited both to the total number of people allowed to participate and to the requirement that everyone have a Facebook account. This changes with Messenger Rooms.
It seems that Facebook has decided, even in the middle of the pandemic, to hit Zoom and thus brings Messenger Rooms with the ability to host conversations video up to 50 people. In fact, those who do not have a Facebook account can participate, as they can now receive a link to the "Room" you have created. With a click they can then join the conversation, just like zooming. Messenger Rooms also have no time limit.
If you are entering a room through the Messenger Rooms application, then you can play with AR effects and new features such as your favorite background and mood lighting. The creator of a room chooses who can see and participate in it and can remove anyone, at any time, as well as lock the room if he does not want anyone else to enter. And of course you can leave a room whenever you want. The rooms you create through a Facebook Group are open by default to members of that Group.
The "Rooms" feature is not end-to-end encrypted because "there are significant challenges" in providing such encryption for video calling with large groups of people. However, Facebook says it is working hard in this direction for the future. Meanwhile, the contents of the room are encrypted between participants and Facebook servers. The company also promises (!!) that it does not monitor or listen to audio or video calls.
Messenger Rooms is available “in certain countries” this week and will expand globally “in the coming weeks”.