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Facebook for iOS gets free calls starting in the US and Canada

Facebook for iOS gets free calls starting in the US and Canada

Posted: 22 Feb 2013, 16:25, by Michael H.

Categories: Apple Apple Software updates Software updates Apps Apps

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Facebook for iOS gets free calls starting in the US and Canada

As we all know by now, Facebook uses its Messenger app as something of a beta test for new features. New features pop up in that app first, and if all goes well, it gets bumped up to the big leagues in the main Facebook app. About a month ago, Facebook updated Messenger with free voice calls between users, and now that feature has gotten the call to the show, although to start it will only work between users in the US and Canada.

At first, the feature was only available to iOS users in Canada through the Messenger app, but now anyone on iOS in the US and Canada can call each other for free. Call can be made over WiFi or cellular connection, but it seems like it only works on the iPhone, not the iPad. It's expected that the feature will roll out to more countries eventually.

It's a cool feature, but it's kind of annoying that after pushing to make the Facebook Android app native, the company seems to be ignoring Android again. Voice calling still hasn't even come to the Messenger app on Android, but it has made the rounds on iOS and is in the main Facebook app. It's a shame that Facebook made it seem like the company was dedicated to Android only to go back to putting all of its resources into iOS first.

If you want to get the Facebook app for iOS, just jump over to the iTunes App Store.

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1. Ninetysix posted on 22 Feb 2013, 17:33 3 4

It's always iOS first. It's the OS that matters to developers. Other mobile OSes can wait and twiddle their thumbs ....

Ready for thumbsdown from the fandroids.

/popcorn

2. axllebeer posted on 22 Feb 2013, 17:39 4 1

Not going to give you the almighty "thumb down" for stating the way it goes. Things like this and new games always hit iOS before Android unless they happen at the same time.

That said, looking forward to selling my iPad mini for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 as soon as I find a buyer. :)

4. MichaelHeller posted on 22 Feb 2013, 17:52 2 1

I would just edit your statement to be clear you mean "It has always been iOS first", because I don't think the trend will last through next year.

5. PhoneArenaUser posted on 22 Feb 2013, 18:09 1 0

Exactly, very well said!

Argument that everything first comes for iOS is not true anymore. The same story with argument that there is no good quality apps for Android.

8. techspace posted on 23 Feb 2013, 00:53 0 1

many developers just make the ios app and then port it to android, next year, a few apps may release at the same time for both the platforms, but most of the apps and games will come first to ios......but its okay, i think making apps for bb and wp os is more important than trying to bring apps to android on day one

9. StevenFranklin posted on 23 Feb 2013, 00:58 0 1

who cares why even bring it up

3. menny07 posted on 22 Feb 2013, 17:43 3 1

We android users will just wait. Simple :)

6. lyndon420 posted on 22 Feb 2013, 19:28 3 1

Facebook is using their ios users as guinea pigs to help create the best droid experience.

7. techspace posted on 23 Feb 2013, 00:49 0 0

you can't test on one os to make an app on the other os look better

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- OS: Android 4.2.2 4.2.1 4.2
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- Display: 4.7 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 15.3 hours of Talk Time, 390 hours of Stand-by
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- Announced: 28 Aug 2012
- OS: Android 4.1.2 4.0.4
- Hardware: Quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 2048 MB RAM
- Display: 4.7 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 13 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
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- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
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- Announced: 05 Sep 2012
- OS: Windows Phone 8
- Hardware: Dual core, 1500 MHz, Krait, 1024 MB RAM
- Display: 4.5 inches, 768 x 1280 pixels, Capacitive Touchscreen
- Camera 8.7 megapixels, 1920x1080 (1080p HD) video
- Battery: 17 hours of Talk Time, 400 hours of Stand-by
- Technology: GSM (850 900 1800 1900)
- Data: LTE Cat3 Downlink 100 Mbit/s LTE Cat3/4 Uplink 50 Mbit/s HSDPA+ (4G) 42.2 Mbit/s HSUPA 5.76 Mbit/s UMTS EDGE GPRS

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Facebook for iOS gets free calls starting in the US and Canada

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9 Comments Follow Following

1. Ninetysix posted on 22 Feb 2013, 17:33 3 4

2. axllebeer posted on 22 Feb 2013, 17:39 4 1

4. MichaelHeller posted on 22 Feb 2013, 17:52 2 1

5. PhoneArenaUser posted on 22 Feb 2013, 18:09 1 0

8. techspace posted on 23 Feb 2013, 00:53 0 1

9. StevenFranklin posted on 23 Feb 2013, 00:58 0 1

3. menny07 posted on 22 Feb 2013, 17:43 3 1

6. lyndon420 posted on 22 Feb 2013, 19:28 3 1

7. techspace posted on 23 Feb 2013, 00:49 0 0

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