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Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

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Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#311

Post by galdosdi »

erelde wrote: post #309
galdosdi wrote: post #308

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't even know that it still worked on desktop! This shows that although it's not true that I /never/ use FB on the desktop it's very rare. This is because I never go to FB just to check out FB; I go to FB because a notification email piqued my interest. And I do read my emails almost exclusively on the phone.

The trick is to keep only "facebook.com/messages" in your history (or bookmarks if you use that). That way the browser autocomplete from your history and you get directly to the messages.

I don't want to know a trick. My point was that FB has unwittingly added a "feature" that helps me do something I want, which is minimize FB usage. Think of say, HN's noprocrast option. It would be crazy for FB to introduce such a thing, but that's what they've done for me here! No way am I going to try to disable it!

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#312

Post by lucb1e »

k-mcgrady wrote: post #306
lucb1e wrote: post #282

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A classmate when you're holding a presentation? It sounds entirely plausible to me.

Why would you have your phone on while giving a presentation? Also, it's not a very Messenger specific problem - they could do the same thing with your actual phone number.

Well I usually put my phone to silent during class and especially presentations. The person you commented on mentioned there is no silent mode. Of course you could turn the phone off entirely, but then it takes longer to turn on, and you have to unlock the SIM card again... quite a hassle just to make facebook's apps shut up.

I don't know though, I've never used Facebook Messenger.

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#313

Post by repler »

mfkp wrote: post #41
xuki wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can disable microphone access for Messenger app. I disable everything and only enable them when needed.

I assume you must be on Android 6.0? Some (most) of us are still on older phones without that functionality.

Exactly. Facebook Messenger on Android is basically malware.

I have my doubts about it on iOS but at least the app permissions work properly there.

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#314

Post by the_duke »

crummy wrote: post #212
the_duke wrote: post #197

I very determinantly refuse to install both the regular FB app and the messenger, even though this is quite inconvenient as I often miss messages or event invites. But they require pretty much EVERY PERMISSION there is on Android, which is ridiciolous, and totally inacceptable to me. So this change will make it even harder for me to access FB messaging. Buuh.

Are you on a modern Android build? You can now selectively enable permissions, as of Android 6.0.

I can't upgrade to 6.0 yet.

Also, I haven't tried it with FB, but a lot of apps actually fail or don't work properly if you don't give them all of the permissions they require.

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#315

Post by xiaoma »

Matt3o12_ wrote: post #300
oneloop wrote: post #230

It's really sad to me to see a bunch of intelligent people here being led like sheep by Facebook (no, this isn't a sheeple post, hear me out) Virtually everyone here complains "Facebook does XYZ really bad but I still use them because all my friends are there". I have a solution. Why don't you get all your friends off there? Pick a platform that you really like and start evangelising. The only reason why Facebook has…

How did you make your friends use telegram instead just for you? I use iMessage with my best friend and my dad because it is my preferred way of communication (it is fairly secure, easy to use, and I can reply from my watch, Mac, iPad and iPhone, unlike any competitor except email). For everybody else I have to use what's app because they cannot be bothered to install an app just to contact me once a week (or some ev…

Woah. Your professor requires students to have whatsapp? That's messed up.

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#316

Post by stared »

lucb1e wrote: post #287
stared wrote: post #141

And I couldn't be happier. I discovered Messenger as "FB chat without all the distractions" (and much snappier); and seeing that it gets prioritized (instead of being an alternative way) is, for me, a good thing.

Fine that you are happy with it (though I have moral concerns with Facebook as a whole, if you're happy with it, that's quite alright). However should that mean that everyone has to be happy with installing this app, instead of being given the choice to use the website?

In theory it is great when there are many choices. In practice, companies focus - and it is better when they have a single working product than a few almost-working products.

I don't want to say that everything FB does is fine - but this particular product is OK. Looking other way - would I like to get a working standalone product being integrated in FB, so that I cannot use it without viewing wall. Hell no!

On mobile I use FB app anyway - so maybe it is why I don't feel the pain. (And installed Messenger app quite some time ago.)

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#317

Post by foobarbecue »

I've heard that the reason there are so many "varieties" of products in grocery stores (think varieties of Colgate toothpaste) is that the manufacturers are trying to maximize the shelf space their products take up.

Are Google and Facebook doing the same thing with home screens? Is that why they're smashing their big apps into little ones?

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#318

Post by mr_luc »

galdosdi wrote: post #308
kayoone wrote: post #301

Earlier quoted context omitted.

so you never ever use FB on the desktop ? You can still read messages there. I have quite a lot of international friends on FB of whom i don't have a phone number but use Messenger to communicate. Of course, i could try to find out their skype/email but the endresult would be the same, just more hassle to get there. With WhatsApp and Messenger i can pretty much reach anyone i know right now, but i could remove the re…

I didn't even know that it still worked on desktop! This shows that although it's not true that I /never/ use FB on the desktop it's very rare. This is because I never go to FB just to check out FB; I go to FB because a notification email piqued my interest. And I do read my emails almost exclusively on the phone.

All of the emails Facebook sends are in a folder called "SpammySaaS," together with all of sales reps trying to cut me sweet deals on their company's CI/CD.

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#319

Post by Geee »

lholden wrote: post #79

I only use facebook over the browser when using my phone. The facebook applications request an appalling number of permissions... never mind the general intrusiveness and battery hogging. Screw you Facebook.

This is a problem with Android, not Facebook. iOS asks for permissions "on-demand", not when the app is installed. And everything can be denied and you can still use the app.

Re: Facebook disabling messaging in its mobile web app to push people to Messenger

#320

Post by foobarbecue »

jmspring wrote: post #102

Well, this will mean even less fb interaction for me. FB iOS apps were resource pigs and data whores. Neither installed. Maybe I'll just vnc in to a browser on the home machine when I need to message. Otherwise, iMessage it is.

I read "FBIOS"
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