Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone Gets Emoticons and Voice Messages

A week after introducing improved Messenger integration inside the Facebook app for Windows Phone, the social networking giant on Wednesday rolled-out an update to the Facebook Messenger app for Windows Phone.

The update brings Facebook Messenger app to version 6.0.0 (up from the 5.0.0 update in June), and includes several features which brings it closer to the likes of Android and iOS.

According to the Windows Phone Store listing, the updated Facebook Messenger app now lets users record voice messages and send emoticons, apart from bringing other improvements including more efficient data usage.

Facebook says voice messaging was one of the 'most requested features' for the Messenger app. For sending a voice message with the updated Facebook Messenger app, the users can open a particular chat head and tap on the three dots seen on the navigation bar placed at the bottom of the screen. The bar shows the option to send a voice clip. Users can tap and hold the red dot to record a voice clip. Once the red dot is released, the voice message is sent automatically. Similar feature is seen on WhatsApp.

Users can now send emoticons from within the updated Facebook Messenger app - the feature can be accessed via a dedicated button on the navigation bar. Once the emoticon bar expands, users also see the option to reach for Windows Phone Store to buy more emoticon packs.

With these updates, the Facebook has brought its Messenger app for Windows Phone closer to its Android and iOS counterparts. However, it still misses out on voice-calling, a feature already available with Android and iOS versions.