Meta is introducing new features, including AI-powered noise cancellation, to its messaging app Messenger. Messenger now features HD video calling and voice isolation, both of which can be enabled from the call settings menu. Meta says HD calling is now the default for calls over Wi-Fi and an option for calls over cellular.
Messenger now also lets you leave an audio or video voice message when a contact is unavailable, like a digital voicemail. If someone doesn’t answer your call, you can tap the new Record a Message button to send an audio or video recording.
There’s new Siri integration. On iOS, you can ask Siri for help making a call or sending a message by saying something like “Hey Siri, send a message to Cassandra on Messenger” and then dictating the contents of the message.
Finally, Meta has introduced AI backgrounds for video calls, which were introduced earlier this year. Meta says that soon you’ll be able to create AI-generated backgrounds during a video call on Messenger by tapping the “Effects” icon in the sidebar and selecting “Backgrounds.”
The Messenger update comes after Meta introduced new community features to the app, integrated the Meta AI chatbot into Messenger’s search bar, and added tools for sharing large files. Late last year, Meta also adopted end-to-end encryption as the standard for Messenger conversations.
