 "Facebook 'Messenger' now open to third-party developers")
Facebook has reportedly announced its decision to open its Messenger service to third-party developers, allowing them to add functions of their own.
The move will mark the four-year-old software's final transformation from a "lightweight" messaging service, born out of Facebook, to a full-fledged "platform" of its own, reported the BBC.
The report said that at least 40 new add-on apps have already been developed so far. Among the new apps are ways to post looped animated images known as Gifs sourced from the sports TV service ESPN and elsewhere, still images from the picture hosting site Imgur, computer-generated animal cartoon messages with recorded audio via Talking Tom, forecasts from the Weather Channel service, e-cards from the humour site Jibjab and audio files from the Sound Clip.
The decision was announced by Mark Zuckerberg at his firm's F8 developers conference in San Francisco.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app