Hands on with Facebook Messenger the Android app

Earlier today (Hong Kong Time) Facebook rolled out its shiny Messenger. Due to country restriction mobile app is only available for US users. I was lucky enough to get a copy of the app (apk file) from XDA Forum. Time for the test dive!

When you first run the app it requires user to enter their Facebook login info. Once authentication was completed user will be directed to the Messages screen which basically is what you see in the Messages section on Facebook (web version). All previous messages dialog will be shown in here.

User can create new (chat) message using the top right corner icon. Once message is created, simply enter name(s) in the TO field & select the participants, your (group) chat is created and time for chatting.
** It seems like you can send message to user using Facebook chat / message or you can send a direct message to the his/her mobile number (which pull from user's mobile device contact list)
I yet to be able to verify the above, additional testing will be needed.

Friend of mine in US happens to be one of the early adopter for Facebook Messenger and already have the app installed on his iPhone. I try to send him a message using the app as a test run and everything worked as expected

Chat dialog is like any other messaging service & it also allow user to send pictures to each other.

All message dialog that was done on mobile are sync back to Facebook (message session). Additional note to image sending / sharing: Image itself will is stored on Facebook as message attachment, user can review the image on the web portal (Message section), but user doesn't seems to be able to save the image to local mobile device via the Messenger app.
**If you happen to have Facebook (web) open on your computer and receive message from other users, message will go to BOTH mobile app & web at the same time. 

Other then photo exchange between users, you can also locate where the other participants' location using the Map function. (Can be creepy in a way). User can turn off location sharing in the global settings, however by default your location is being share by the app.

Facebook Message is a great messaging app, however compare to whatsapp & other messaging system Facebook Message lacks of an unique killer feature. Without an unique feature, it's hard to convince me as a user to use the app as my primary messaging system. If the rumor of face time does come true, that's another story and certainly it will impact my decision on whether am going to use this app as my primary messaging system.

Android Market now integrate with Google Books

Since last month there are already news for Android Market being updated with new features. However I yet to see any changes for Market on my Nexus One. Today it finally arrives on my N1.

New Layout of Android Market

The look and feel of the new Market layout is very similar to the new Windows mobile, with better features.
Once you clicked on any buttons on the welcome user can then swipe left / right to nav into different sections

One thing particular I like about the new Market layout is that it's integrate with Google Books and it allow users to purchase Google Books easier. Simply perform a search on Google Market it will also return you results from Google Books and allow purchase right away. (Looks like this integration still only available for US at the moment)

Google Books results are now integrate with Market

Other then integration of Google Books, Market also allow user to share apps (using the Android default sharing function), hence user can share the app easily 

See the share button beside the search magnify glass?
It allows you to share this app easily 

User can also review what app they had been install by clicking on the settings button. 

My Apps section now hidden inside in the menu

Overall am very happy with the new Android Market, in addition there are certainly performance boost and slicker animation on returning the search results. 

Hope you all enjoy the new Market as I do !