Facebook Messenger adds AI backgrounds and Siri control to chats

The popular messaging platform Messenger is rolling out significant updates to enhance its calling and messaging capabilities, bringing it more in line with Apple’s FaceTime service while adding unique features of its own.

Key Features Update: Meta has introduced several new capabilities to Messenger, focusing on voicemail functionality and AI-powered features.

• Users can now leave video and audio voicemails for unanswered calls, similar to FaceTime’s video message feature
• The platform has implemented voice isolation and background noise suppression technology to improve call quality
• Custom answering machine messages remain unavailable, a feature that’s also missing from FaceTime

Siri Integration: Meta has expanded Messenger’s accessibility by incorporating voice command capabilities through Apple’s virtual assistant.

• Users can now initiate messages and calls through Siri voice commands
• The integration allows hands-free operation with commands like “Hey Siri, send a message to [name] on Messenger”
• This feature particularly benefits frequent Messenger users who need hands-free operation

AI Implementation: The platform is leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance the visual experience during video calls.

• Messenger now offers AI-generated backgrounds for video calls
• This feature differentiates it from FaceTime, which currently only supports custom backgrounds without AI generation
• The implementation represents Meta’s continued integration of AI technology across its services

Future Implications: While Meta continues to close the feature gap with Apple’s FaceTime, the integration of AI-generated backgrounds and Siri support suggests a strategic focus on combining conventional messaging capabilities with emerging technologies, potentially setting new standards for messaging platforms.