Facebook Messenger adds video calling from iOS, Android smartphones

PanARMENIAN.Net - Facebook Messenger has just got more interesting with the addition of video calling from iOS and Android smartphones, Digital Spy reports.

Users in a number of countries including the US and the UK can now chat face-to-face in real-time on the standalone app.

With more than 600 million people using Messenger every month, the feature will serve to compete with the likes of Apple's FaceTime and Microsoft's Skype.

Video chatting can only be done from smartphones with the app installed.

"You can quickly start a video call from any conversation with just one tap," Facebook explained.

"If you're messaging with someone and realise that words just aren't enough, you can simply choose the video icon in the top right corner of the screen and start a video call right from within an existing Messenger conversation."

The upgrade is the latest move by Facebook to broaden Messenger, following the launch of a desktop website service and the ability to send money to friends in the US.