Facebook is bringing voice and video calls back to the main social networking app: Some users, including those in the US, have been able to make voice or video calls from the Facebook app since yesterday.
The new feature aims to reduce the need to switch between Facebook's main app and its messaging service. - Connor Hayes, Director of Messenger Product Management
A few years ago, users could send messages to other Facebook users through the main social networking application. However, in 2014, the company announced that the Messenger platform would become a standalone app. At the time, Facebook argued that Messenger needed to have its own app to get even more features.
Although audio and video calls are returning to the Facebook app, text chat remains available exclusively on the Messenger app for now. Earlier this month, Facebook already announced end-to-end encryption of audio and video calls on Messenger. The app has also been recently updated with support for QR codes and payment links.
Facebook turned on messaging between its Instagram and Messenger apps last September, and there are plans to add the feature to WhatsApp as well.