Facebook brings group video chats to Messenger

Facebook is making it easier for you and your family to be together even if you're not physically together this Christmas with the launch of group video chat for Messenger.

The addition to Messenger is the most-requested feature ever, the social network said Monday. Group video chat will begin rolling out immediately to mobile users of the Messenger app.

It's the latest in a series of incremental updates to Messenger, which include the addition of a faster camera, masks, stickers and frames. They're designed to keep Facebook attractive to many different age groups as new apps and services like Snapchat become increasingly popular.

Facebook is also constantly competing with other internet-reliant messaging services such as Skype, Google Hangouts and even WhatsApp, which the social network owns, to ensure it's offering a full suite of possibilities to its users.

No matter how large your extended family, most everyone will now be able to join a call on Messenger. Up to six people at a time can participate in video chat conversations, with up to 50 able to join in using voice only.

To start a call, you can either begin a new Messenger conversation or jump into an existing one and hit the video icon. Your friends will be alerted and can jump in if and when they're ready. A second option is to ring a few people simultaneously and turn the call into a video chat that way.

:story: c|net