dearJulius.com

Facebook Messenger internally tests voice commands for chat, calls

© Chesnot/Getty Images   Photo Illustration by Chesnot/Getty Images

By Josh Constine, TechCrunch

Facebook Messenger could soon let you use your voice to dictate and send messages, initiate voice calls, and create reminders. Messenger for Android's code reveals a new M assistant button atop the message thread screen that activates listening for voice commands for those functionalities. Voice control could make Messenger simpler to use hands-free or while driving, more accessible for the vision or dexterity-impaired, and perhaps one day, easier for international users whose native languages are hard to type.

© Provided by AOL Inc.

Facebook Messenger was previously spotted testing speech transcription as part of the Aloha voice assistant believed to be part of Facebook's upcoming Portal video chat screen device. But voice commands in the M assistant are new, and demonstrate an evolution in Facebook's strategy since its former head of Messenger David Marcus told me voice “is not something we’re actively working on right now" in September 2016 on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt.

The prototype was discovered by all-star TechCrunch tipster Jane Manchun Wong, who'd previously discovered prototypes of Instagram Video Calling, Facebook's screen time digital well-being dashboard, and Lyft's scooter rentals before the officially launched. When reached for comment, a Facebook Messenger spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that Facebook is internally testing the voice command feature. The told TechCrunch “We often experiment with new experiences on Messenger with employees. We have nothing more to share at this time."

Messenger is eager to differentiate itself from SMS, Snapchat, Android Messages, and other texting platforms. The app has aggressively adopted visual communication features like Facebook Stories, augmented reality filters, and more. Wong today spotted Messenger prototyping augmented reality camera effects being rolled into the GIFs, Stickers, and Emoji menu in the message composer.
Facebook has found that users aren't so keen on tons of bells and whistles like prominent camera access or games getting in the way of chat, so Facebook plans to bury those more in a forthcoming simplified redesign of Messenger. But voice controls add pure utility without obstructing Messenger's core value proposition and could end up getting users to chat more if they're eventually rolled out.

COMMENTS





Note: If you think this story need more information or correction, feel free to comment below your opinion and reaction.
Name

Apps,19,Computers,20,Emoji,1,Entertainment,2,Facebook,101,Gadgets,17,Games,186,Google,88,Instagram,14,Internet,36,LinkedIn,1,Microsoft Windows,2,OS,1,Samsung,105,Science,589,Security,17,Smartphone,94,Social,12,Technology,1323,Twitter,12,VR,4,
ltr
item
Technology News: Facebook Messenger internally tests voice commands for chat, calls
Facebook Messenger internally tests voice commands for chat, calls
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxksX-hwDM8tWMd0erczLc6bDQ4khFZDf2r1gmXR5iB4wodcl4kbLSH7nab9nfztn9gMDqTMGZk-ZX4cYNbfHIAYMUtLGweIWQb5fSLaVnXDFxA6105crriebbzXMY-SQhUTWI9jpJA65/s1600/1.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAxksX-hwDM8tWMd0erczLc6bDQ4khFZDf2r1gmXR5iB4wodcl4kbLSH7nab9nfztn9gMDqTMGZk-ZX4cYNbfHIAYMUtLGweIWQb5fSLaVnXDFxA6105crriebbzXMY-SQhUTWI9jpJA65/s72-c/1.jpg
Technology News
https://tech.dailynewsview.com/2018/10/facebook-messenger-internally-tests.html
https://tech.dailynewsview.com/
https://tech.dailynewsview.com/
https://tech.dailynewsview.com/2018/10/facebook-messenger-internally-tests.html
true
6158722151415702542
UTF-8
Loaded All Posts Not found any posts VIEW ALL Read More Reply Cancel reply Delete By Home PAGES POSTS View All RECOMMENDED FOR YOU LABEL ARCHIVE SEARCH ALL POSTS Not found any post match with your request Back Home Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January February March April May June July August September October November December Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec just now 1 minute ago $$1$$ minutes ago 1 hour ago $$1$$ hours ago Yesterday $$1$$ days ago $$1$$ weeks ago more than 5 weeks ago Followers Follow THIS PREMIUM CONTENT IS LOCKED STEP 1: Share. STEP 2: Click the link you shared to unlock Copy All Code Select All Code All codes were copied to your clipboard Can not copy the codes / texts, please press [CTRL]+[C] (or CMD+C with Mac) to copy