Facebook recently updated its Messenger iOS and Android app with two new features; an option to record short voice messages, and a free calling service. The voice messaging update is currently available to everyone, but the VoIP calling is only available in Canada at the moment. Assuming all goes well with the beta testing, the free calling feature should be available elsewhere throughout the next few weeks.

Version 2.1 has added a record voice option to the right of the camera which opens a record toggle.  Simply push and hold to record a voice message. If you want to cancel the message slide your finger off or choose to send the message by letting go.

The free calling feature that is being tested in Canada will allow users to make calls to friends using the caller’s data plan rather than their call allowance. The feature currently works by opening a conversation with the person you want to call, hitting the ‘i’ button in the top-right corner, and pressing ‘Free Call.’

These new added features are part of a continued pattern by Facebook to invest in their messaging services. Recently, Facebook has slimmed down requirements for their Android users, who wanted a reliable messaging service, without signing in and using the social media features. The next step by the social media giant was to launch ‘Facebook Poke’ in an attempt to compete with Snapchat. Facebook has now created a voicemail system that reaches over a billion users.

If the Facebook campaign is successful at making this app common place on smartphones worldwide, they could find the additional revenue they’ve been looking for with the addition of premium services. Regardless of the prospect of profits, the future networking possibilities are definitely intriguing with such a large user base.