Facebook, Vine and ChatOn Get IM Updates

Mobile instant messaging apps are a dime a dozen these days and it looks like everyone is trying to keep its lead from the rest of the pack with regular updates that are keeping consumers interested. Today, three apps received an update that should make them more secure, more accessible and more sociable. First one up is the Android version of Facebook Messenger..



Mobile instant messaging apps are a dime a dozen these days and it looks like everyone is trying to keep its lead from the rest of the pack with regular updates that are keeping consumers interested. Today, three apps received an update that should make them more secure, more accessible and more sociable.

First one up is the Android version of Facebook Messenger. Version 4.0 of Facebook Messenger for Android brings a couple of nifty features that make the habit of chatting with your friends an easy affair.

On one hand the update now allows users to aggregate specific contacts into groups which are stored on a dedicated tab within the app. Users can also pin the group or group conversation into their home screen as a floating chat head.

Meanwhile, Samsung’s own chat app – ChatOn has also received an update today. Aside from giving its users up to 1GB worth of media transfers and the ability to show their location on Foursquare via Glympse, the chat app is now giving users the ability to recall sent instant messages even if the recipient has already read the message.

This should allow users to correct messages sent prematurely or those that were sent to the wrong person. But do note that the feature only works on one-to-one chat so those who sent a message in error to a group will still be dead in the water.

Lastly, Instagram’s top competitor – Vine is also getting an update that should allow users to communicate with each other using either videos or text messages. Vine users can send videos to anyone in their phonebook, whether or not they are using the Vine app.

The update is now available on Android and iOS, but there’s still no word on when it will reach Windows Phone users.

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