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Facebook (FB) Introduces Group Video Chat in Messenger
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Facebook Messenger users can now engage in group video chat with up to 50 participants, a new feature that the company launched yesterday (Dec 19). The feature is currently available on the desktop version of Messenger, Apple’s (AAPL - Free Report) iOS and Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Android platform.
Per a blog posted by Facebook product manager, Stephane Taine, a user can see six people at a time during group video chat. For more than six, the dominant speaker will only be shown to all participants. Notably, Google Hangout and Microsoft’s (MSFT - Free Report) Skype consumer products allow 10-persons at a time.
Moreover, Facebook Messenger users participating in the group video chat can share text, emojis, stickers and can put on Snapchat-like selfie masks (currently available for iOS only).
New Features to Drive Engagement
Facebook introduced Messenger as a standalone application in 2014 and added the one-to-one video calling feature in Apr 2015. Over time, the company has been trying to monetize the application and has collaborations with the likes of PayPal, Visa, MasterCard and American Express for in-app payment options. (Read More: Facebook Working on Monetizing Strategy for Messenger)
In Jul 2016, Messenger hit the 1 billion user mark. Despite such a large user base, Messenger is used by only about 9% people in the Asia-Pacific region, where slower than average internet speeds is a concern.
Facebook launched a trimmed version of its Messenger app that requires significantly less data but operates faster. The new Messenger lite app will occupy less than 10 MB space in Android phones (less than 25% of the main app) and offer key features of the platform like sending texts, photos, links and stickers.
Additionally, Messenger gained end-to-end encryption in October. In November, the company launched instant games on Messenger. Most recently, the company introduced an upgraded camera in Messenger that allows users to add 3D masks and special effects to their videos. Reportedly, the application is testing a Stories-like feature known as Messenger Day in some international markets.
We believe that the constant addition of new and innovative features will improve user engagement on Messenger. Per company data, more than 245 million people make video calls in Messenger every month and the application now has 10% global market share of VOIP (broadband phone) calls. We believe that the new group video chat feature will boost Facebook’s competitive position against the likes of Slack, Houseparty, WeChat among others in the long haul.
Positive Stock Price Movement
We note that Facebook has outperformed the Zacks Internet Services industry on a year-to-date basis. The stock’s return of 13.93% is well ahead of the industry’s gain of 3.39%.
Moreover, current year earnings estimate has increased 2.4% to $3.38 per share, which reflects a massive 127.2% year-over-year growth. We believe that Facebook’s expanding user base will drive estimates upside further going ahead.
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Facebook (FB) Introduces Group Video Chat in Messenger
Facebook Messenger users can now engage in group video chat with up to 50 participants, a new feature that the company launched yesterday (Dec 19). The feature is currently available on the desktop version of Messenger, Apple’s (AAPL - Free Report) iOS and Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Android platform.
Per a blog posted by Facebook product manager, Stephane Taine, a user can see six people at a time during group video chat. For more than six, the dominant speaker will only be shown to all participants. Notably, Google Hangout and Microsoft’s (MSFT - Free Report) Skype consumer products allow 10-persons at a time.
Moreover, Facebook Messenger users participating in the group video chat can share text, emojis, stickers and can put on Snapchat-like selfie masks (currently available for iOS only).
New Features to Drive Engagement
Facebook introduced Messenger as a standalone application in 2014 and added the one-to-one video calling feature in Apr 2015. Over time, the company has been trying to monetize the application and has collaborations with the likes of PayPal, Visa, MasterCard and American Express for in-app payment options. (Read More: Facebook Working on Monetizing Strategy for Messenger)
In Jul 2016, Messenger hit the 1 billion user mark. Despite such a large user base, Messenger is used by only about 9% people in the Asia-Pacific region, where slower than average internet speeds is a concern.
Facebook launched a trimmed version of its Messenger app that requires significantly less data but operates faster. The new Messenger lite app will occupy less than 10 MB space in Android phones (less than 25% of the main app) and offer key features of the platform like sending texts, photos, links and stickers.
Additionally, Messenger gained end-to-end encryption in October. In November, the company launched instant games on Messenger. Most recently, the company introduced an upgraded camera in Messenger that allows users to add 3D masks and special effects to their videos. Reportedly, the application is testing a Stories-like feature known as Messenger Day in some international markets.
We believe that the constant addition of new and innovative features will improve user engagement on Messenger. Per company data, more than 245 million people make video calls in Messenger every month and the application now has 10% global market share of VOIP (broadband phone) calls. We believe that the new group video chat feature will boost Facebook’s competitive position against the likes of Slack, Houseparty, WeChat among others in the long haul.
Positive Stock Price Movement
We note that Facebook has outperformed the Zacks Internet Services industry on a year-to-date basis. The stock’s return of 13.93% is well ahead of the industry’s gain of 3.39%.
Moreover, current year earnings estimate has increased 2.4% to $3.38 per share, which reflects a massive 127.2% year-over-year growth. We believe that Facebook’s expanding user base will drive estimates upside further going ahead.
FACEBOOK INC-A Price and Consensus
FACEBOOK INC-A Price and Consensus | FACEBOOK INC-A Quote
Zacks Rank
Currently, Facebook carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
Zacks' Top Investment Ideas for Long-Term Profit
How would you like to see our best recommendations to help you find today’s most promising long-term stocks? Starting now, you can look inside our portfolios featuring stocks under $10, income stocks, value investments and more. These picks, which have double and triple-digit profit potential, are rarely available to the public. But you can see them now. Click here >>