Facebook takes on Zoom with new Messenger desktop app

Facebook Messenger is breaking free with a new desktop app that can be used to video chat while stuck at home. 

The company announced on Thursday that it's releasing a standalone Messenger desktop app for macOS and Windows. Previously, it was only available as a separate app on mobile phones.

Originally announced at Facebook's F8 conference last year, the new app comes at a time when millions of people around the world are stuck at home due to the coronavirus outbreak. It brings some obvious (albeit minor) advantages, like having Messenger in a window of its own and not having to track your browser tabs. Facebook didn't mention this in its press materials, but standalone apps are typically faster and more responsive than apps that run in your browser.  Read more...