Facebook to greatly expand its video chat offerings

In a live stream last Friday, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook is rolling out a suite of new products to expand its capabilities in video chat.

Of the announced features, one called Messenger Rooms promises to be the most significant. It's a virtual hangouts tool that can host up to 50 people who can drop in and out at will. People using room can experiment with Facebook's augmented reality filters or swap out their physical background for a virtual one, some of which offer 360-degree views of exotic locales. A new slate of AR filters will also help brighten up dark rooms or touch up users' appearances. 

The Room calls are not end-to-end encrypted, but Facebook claims it does not view or listen to calls. The creator of a room can remove participants at any time, and rooms where illicit behavior is taking place can be reported to Facebook. The creator can also decide whether the room will be open or invite only.

Room will currently be available in Facebook and Messenger only. Later, rooms will expand to Instagram Direct, WhatsApp, and Portal.

Facebook is also doubling the capacity of video calls on WhatsApp from four people to eight, adding video calls to Facebook Dating, and adding new live-streaming features to both Facebook and Instagram. 

In addition, Facebook Live will add back a feature called Live With, enabling streamers to invite another person to stream with them. The donate button will become available, allowing users to raise money directly from their broadcasts.

Similarly, Instagram will begin allowing users to post live streams to IGTV as well as to Instagram stories after they finish a stream, and Instagram Live broadcasts will become available on desktop for the first time. Users with Facebook's Portal display will also get the ability to go live to pages and groups, supplementing their ability to go live from their own profiles.