Facebook Messenger is a stand-alone software application that can be used on your smartphone mobile device such as Apple's iPhone. The idea behind Facebook's innovation is to enable members of the famous social networking site to quickly send and receive instant text messages and save on the cost of SMS charges. Many enthusiasts of this new application have made the claim that it might replace SMS altogether. While the application's popularity may increase rapidly, there will still be those using traditional SMS so you probably will not see an all out replacement right away.

What Makes Facebook Messenger Popular?

As mentioned before, most mobile service providers charge for SMS text messages. So, if a person typically sends a significant number during any given month it could rack up quite a bill. Facebook Messenger is totally free to use. It is quite possible that not all of your friends will have a data-enabled smart phone but with Facebook Messenger you can still send text to them as well.

Facebook Messenger makes group messaging easier. Oftentimes, setting up groups with SMS messaging is not possible but with the Facebook application you can send a message to all your friends at one time. There is also a location feature where your friends can see where you are at. The location feature can be turned off should you desire not to divulge that information.

Because it is a separate application, you can get to the business of texting faster without going through the Facebook interface. Another reason that Facebook made this a separate application is that there are future enhancements planned for video chatting. Other advantages are that you can attach photos and send them across your group of friends and filter out messages from unwanted senders.

One argument that many who live in colder climates might raise is that they can send SMS messages on any mobile phone that does not use a touch screen. The contrast to this is that with a data-enabled touch screen device, it is impossible to wear gloves because the screen needs the bioelectrical charge from your fingertips in order to react. Of course with SMS and a non-smartphone, you only have to press the pressure-sensitive keys and you can do this with gloves on. However, with today's touch screen gloves this is no longer a problem. Touch screen gloves have capacitive fibers woven into the material that transfer bioelectric current from your fingertips to the screen.

On the Side of SMS

While a texting application like Facebook Messenger provides the latest innovations in sending messages and staying in touch, it probably will not replace SMS right away. The biggest reason is that no everyone has a mobile device that is data ready nor does everyone want to purchase one. Some are perfectly happy with their bare bones mobile telephones. The beauty of SMS is that it works with practically any phone.

Another factor in favor of SMS is privacy. Some really do not like the idea that their messages are stored on Facebook's servers. Many people send personal messages for the eyes of the receiver only. Privacy is the reason many do not use Facebook for anything and will continue to use standard SMS as well as e-mail to communicate with other people. It can be argued that SMS and e-mail messages are stored on the servers of their service provider but there are still those who view Facebook as an open book to their privacy.