Cellphone numbers may disappear
Facebook’s VP of Messaging Products, David Marcus, expects mobile phone numbers to become less important in the future.
Mobile numbers have been the preferred unique identifier for people since the launch of mobile phones.
However, with the advent of social media, a battle for control of the way people connect to each other is underway.
A person’s Facebook account, for example, can easily replace their mobile number as the best way to connect to them.
Phone numbers disappearing
Marcus said that old communication styles, like making voice calls and sending an SMS to a mobile number, are disappearing with older feature phones.
“With Facebook Messenger, we offer all the things that made texting so popular, but also so much more,” said Marcus.
“Yes, you can send text messages, but you can also send stickers, photos, videos, voice clips, GIFs, your location, and money to people.”
He said you can make video and voice calls without needing to know someone’s phone number.
“You don’t need to have a Facebook account to use Messenger anymore, and it’s also a cross platform experience – so you can pick up where you left off whether you’re on a desktop computer, a tablet, or your phone.”
More on Facebook and WhatsApp
WhatsApp may face regulation in South Africa
Biggest Facebook topics of 2015
Facebook taking on Google and YouNow with live video
Loading ...