[alexanderss]

"This is huge for Facebook — it has become an ubiquitous utility. And my sister didn’t even know Messenger, Facebook’s well-regarded, standalone messaging app, existed. Couple this anecdote with the WhatsApp acquisition and Facebook seems poised to own (utilitarian and functional) communication."

Given how hard Facebook pushes, and has subsequently forced Messenger onto all mobile users, his sister not knowing it exists is not good for Facebook. I'm sure the author is trying to spin it into a positive since he works there, but that's quite a stretch.

[eitally]

On the flip side, though, people considering Facebook a ubiquitous utility is very much a good thing for them. In my experience -- and I am by no means a teen -- Facebook is both the de facto way to stay in touch with extended family and friends worldwide, but it is also the fall-back social platform everyone can count on being a viable option if, for whatever reason, the first or second choice doesn't work. It's still perfectly acceptable for an individual not to use Snapchat, Instagram, Whatsapp, or similar, but everyone now assumes that all their connections have an fb account. Frustratingly, in my life this phenomenon rears its head most often with group structuring and event planning, since fb groups are so easy to create (and actually work pretty darn well). Others have expressed frustration at the inflexibility of fb events ... my experience has been that fb groups -- at least for recurring events -- have supplanted actual events.

[icelancer]

I refuse to install it. I get around to my messages when I get back to my computer. The messaging app is terrible.

[alexhawdon]

What do you dislike about the messaging app?

I initially felt corralled into installing it but now I use it quite frequently to participate in small group discussions with my friends. Actually, I should clarify: it's almost exclusively one group discussion that we use to organise our social lives (last-minute day trips at the weekends, beers after work, that sort of thing). Email has become fragmented (not universal; everyone has a number of accounts), there is no group option on SMS, and Twitter is too public. There isn't a comparable communication medium in use within my social circle.

I find the app experience pretty reliable and straight-forward. I especially like the option to 'snooze' chats for an hour or two (I'm trying to get some work done and my friends are all telling jokes) or until the next morning (I'm engaged this evening and don't want my phone pinging all the time).

(As it appear to be relevant and give context to this discussion, I'm a late-20s English male.)

[Mvandenbergh]

I mean, that's nice and all, but like most things which have a utility tied to their network size, the quality of the app is largely irrelevant. If someone sends me an fb message to update me on where we're meeting, I want to see that right away regardless of my dislike of the UI.

[whytaka]

What about? It's my preferred messaging app to be honest with you. I'm curious what your pain points are.