Facebook launches messenger app amidst a raft of new services

Facebook has launched its long-awaited Facebook Messenger app for iOS.

The app, which can be downloaded for free from the App Store, enables users to message their Facebook friends easily.

The service provides an alternative to messaging friends via the social media site itself – something that has not always worked well on Facebook’s mobile site.

Facebook Messenger is seen by many as a rival to BlackBerry’s BBM messaging service. It lets users chat in real time in both single and group conversations. Users can also attach photos and location information to their messages using Facebook Messenger.

The social networking giant has also announced a number of other new changes to the site. A new follower button allows users to subscribe to other people’s public updates in much the same way that they can do on Twitter.

Public updates are not restricted by any privacy settings and can be viewed by anyone online. If a user does not want their update to be public, then they merely put their account settings on private.

Facebook now also includes a smart friends list, rather like the Circles function available on Google+. This will enable Facebook members to group their friends into different categories.

Facebook is also expected to announce its plans for a digital music service this week at its annual developer conference, f8.