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Facebook Messenger for iOS adds groups, forwarding

The app now lets you create groups and forward messages and photos to friends that aren't in a current conversation.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger

Facebook Messenger for iOS
Facebook

The Facebook Messenger iOS app recently became a bit more useful for people who like to chat through the social network.

Facebook on Thursday updated the app with the ability to put people in groups for easier access. The feature lets you group together people you message and assign that group a name and photo, for example "Roommates" or "Family." In addition, the updated app now lets you forward conversations or images to people who aren't on the original message thread.

The new features come as part of Facebook's 4.0 update to the Messenger app. The app allows users to message Facebook friends without to open the social network's full app.

However, it's not clear how much longer Facebook Messenger will be around. The service is essentially a replacement for SMS on mobile devices. Now that Facebook plans to acquire WhatsApp for $19 billion, it's possible that service will replace Messenger entirely.

Facebook shares are down 2 percent to $59.83 on Friday.