Facebook Messenger Receives Portrait Mode and Boomerang Loops

• Facebook updated its Messenger app for Android and iOS with a number of new camera features.
• Users can now use software-based portrait mode as well as Instagram-style Boomerang videos and GIFs.
• A number of AR stickers have also been added which can be included in photos and videos.

While Messenger is a very popular app, it feels very lackluster when it comes to camera features, and Facebook is trying to rectify that. A new update just hit the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for iOS and Android devices that brings a number of popular features from Instagram.

Messenger users can now have access to a Portrait mode even on cameras that do not have dual-cameras. The app achieves this by taking advantage of software that cleverly blurs backgrounds to offer great portrait images. While many may argue the results are artificial and do not offer the same quality as a dual-camera setup would, phone manufacturers have been successful with the implementation of AI-based blurring — the Apple iPhone XR and Google Pixel 2 are two of the most popular devices that get software-based portrait modes right. Messenger gets the job done fairly well even on single-lens shooters and reviews suggest that users are happy with the results.

Boomerang loops became extremely popular after they were added to apps like Instagram and Facebook Messenger’s implementation of the feature is quite good. Users can record a few seconds of video and posting it as a Boomerang will move the video back and forth in time offering a ‘boomerang effect.’ The videos can be shared with friends or as a Story.

A number of augmented reality stickers were also added that Messenger users can add to their photos and videos. There are a number of holiday-themed stickers and filters to get your Christmas spirit going as well. While the features are not going to help draw more users to the platform, it definitely helps Facebook keep its features consistent across its social media apps.

What do you think about the latest Messenger update? Let us know in the comments below. Lastly, don’t forget to share this article online, and make sure to follow TechNadu on Facebook and Twitter. Thanks!