UPDATED 03:02 EDT / MARCH 08 2016

NEWS

Facebook Messenger update: Hail a Lyft, share Spotify songs, new design

Over the last week, Facebook has rolled out a number of updates to its popular Messenger app. From design changes to hailing a Lyft and even sharing your favorite songs, Facebook is ensuring you can do everything in its app and never have to leave.

Here is a look at the three new Facebook Messenger updates.

Hail a Lyft with Messenger

You are now able to hail a Lyft Inc. car with Facebook Messenger, a feature that its rival Uber Technologies Inc. have been enjoying since December. After announcing that Lyft, like Uber, will be opening its API to third-party developers, Facebook Messenger becomes the first app that will allow you to hail a Lyft ride while chatting to your friends.

While the service was initially only available in a select group of U.S. cities, the feature has now rolled out across the U.S.

Share your favorite music through Messenger

Facebook has integrated Spotify AB into its Messenger app to allow its 800 million users to share their favorite songs.

All Android and iOS users will see a new Spotify option, under the More section in the Messenger app. Tap the option and you will go through to the Spotify app, where you can search for a song, artist or playlist. Once you select it, you will be taken back to Messenger and provided with the option to share a photo of the cover’s artwork. When your friend receives the shared song, they simply have to tap the photo and will go through to the Spotify app where they can listen to the song, artist or playlist.

New material design for Android Messenger users

Vice President of Messenger Products, David Marcus, took to Facebook yesterday to announce a brand new material design for Android Messenger users. The changes are subtle, but brings the app even closer to Material Design. Changes include blue bars at the top of the screen, slightly more space and a ‘+’ button in the bottom right-hand corner that you will use to start new conversations.

If you are an Android user, update your Messenger app now and check out the new design.

Image via: Facebook

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