Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) is experimenting with integrating SMS with its Messenger service, according to multiple reports, and is adding support for multiple accounts for some users.
Facebook Messenger once supported SMS, VentureBeat observed, but the feature was dropped in November 2013 due to lack of use. The social network has once again introduced SMS integration for some Android users in the U.S., although the company declined to say how many can access the feature.
"Right now, we're testing the ability for people to easily bring all their conversations -- from SMS and Messenger -- to one place," Facebook confirmed in a statement to VentureBeat. "It's a really simple way to get, see and respond to all your SMS messages in just one app."
And Android Police reported some Android users can now access multiple accounts through Messenger, enabling multiple people to use the service from a single phone or users with multiple accounts to toggle back and forth. Facebook fans with both business and personal accounts, for instance, could log in and out of those accounts in Messenger on one phone after adding both accounts in the app's servings screen.
Facebook gained tremendous momentum in mobile last year, reporting a 56 percent year-over-year increase in worldwide downloads of its Android and iOS apps during the fourth quarter. The company's Messenger app demonstrated 51 percent growth year-over-year, according to MoffettNathanson.
For more:
- see this VentureBeat report
- read this Android Police article
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