Facebook Messenger for Android’s code reveals that the app may soon let users rely on their voice to dictate and send messages, create reminders, and make voice calls to their contacts. The code highlights a new M assistant button at the top of the message threat screen which when tapped will activate listening for voice commands for these features.
This will thus make it easier to use Messenger without having to interact with the screen. This will certainly be safer particularly when the user is driving. It would also make the app more accessible for the vision or dexterity-impaired.
Voice commands in Messenger’s M assistant are new that Facebook is testing them internally right now. The feature was discovered by developer Jane Manchun Wong who has previously uncovered features such as video calling in Instagram and Facebook’s digital wellbeing screen.
A spokesperson for Messenger has confirmed to TechCrunch that the company is internally testing this voice command feature. “We often experiment with new experiences on Messenger with employees. We have nothing more to share at this time,” said the spokesperson.
As for when the feature might arrive, it’s anybody’s guess right now. The spokesperson hasn’t provided any idea of when Messenger might get this feature.
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