Developers, like many consumers, would like to have a little chat with Facebook regarding a recent decision about its Messenger app.
The social network began notifying users they will have to download Facebook Messenger if they want to send or receive messages on the platform using an iOS or Android device. This is a much different direction than Facebook has taken in the past, where full-featured messaging was always available within its main apps.
It was hard to find anyone with a mobile development background on Twitter who had anything positive to say about the decision once word got out.
What a bad bad move for users! // Facebook Is Forcing All Users To Download Messenger http://t.co/BIebc97Fd6
— Antonin Cohen (@AntoninCohen) April 10, 2014
That's a bit extreme don't you think ? http://t.co/AxeGcG6uzp
— Hackademy (@hackademykl) April 10, 2014
For some, this marked the beginning of the end with their Facebook account, at least via mobile.
I will remove Facebook app very soon http://t.co/IgU96p2RGn via @techcrunch
— Emanuele Massara (@emas80) April 10, 2014
Facebook's Messenger change is idiotic. Count me out, Mark.
— Adam Burt (@Newnab) April 10, 2014
Even the few who didn't seem riled up by the Facebook Messenger news didn't have much to say beyond the fact it was inevitable or intriguing.
Smart * @mashsocialmedia: Facebook is getting rid of chat in mobile apps, forcing you to use Messenger http://t.co/A7qQVE7PRH"
— ebuka (@ebuoe) April 10, 2014
As for those who never liked in-app chat on Facebook, there was a sunny side to all this.
"@WSJ: Facebook to require separate app for mobile messaging. http://t.co/1tueomzQc9" Finally I can more easily ignore Facebook messages.
— Dave Hamilton (@DaveHamilton) April 10, 2014