Facebook debuts Facebook Messenger for Firefox
updated 04:58 pm EST, Mon December 3, 2012
Messenger takes advantage of Mozilla's new Social API
Facebook and Mozilla today announced the release of the new Facebook Messenger for Firefox, which builds access to messaging on the social network directly into Mozilla's browser. The new Facebook integration requires an update to the most recent version of Firefox, but can be activated afterward simply by visiting the Facebook Messenger for Firefox page.
The new Messenger takes advantage of Firefox's Social API, which is meant to make it easier for the browser to integrate with social media services. It places a social sidebar on the right edge of a user's browser window. That sidebar displays Facebook chat and updates, new comments, photo tags, and more. It also displays notifications for messages, friend requests, and other content from the social network.
Mozilla notes that the collaboration with the world's largest social network is just the beginning of its use of the Social API. The future, according to Mozilla, will see them working with more providers to add more features.
