Earlier in January, Facebook began testing free calling and audio messaging for its mobile Messenger app. The feature was only available for testing in Canada at the time, but it must have gone pretty well because the company is now making the service available to all iPhone users in the United States.
How it works is simple. Once users start up Messenger, all they have to do is open a conversation they've had with a friend, click the "i" button in the top right corner of the screen, and tap "Free Call" to dial. There's no downloadable update necessary, either, so the option should be available soon if it isn't already.
Calls can be placed via WiFi or through the iPhone's data connection. Technically, the calls are free, though obviously if you're not using WiFi you're reducing the amount of data your phone has available. Still, it's a pretty good option, especially the WiFi, if you're in an area with notoriously bad service. Even if you don't want to call someone you can record a short audio message for them to listen to. Another nice thing is that it makes phone numbers irrelevant, as all that's necessary to contact someone is to be connected on the social network.
The move represents a big step for Facebook, even if it limits calling to people you're already connected to. It has instantly made it easier to contact pretty much everyone in an individual's network and, if successful, could help the company challenge phone carriers themselves one day. The free calling feature is optimized for iOS, so even those with an iPod Touch can now call their friends, although their only option would be over WiFi.
There's been no word yet on when international users can expect the Messenger update. Right now the service is only available to iOS users, but it's probably just a matter of time until Android owners are able to make calls as well.
With Facebook finally rolling out this service, some are expecting the next step to be the addition of video calling. The main Facebook web site already incorporates this feature thanks to a partnership with Skype, but the Messenger app has yet to add it.
