Facebook Messenger gets Slack-like Shortcuts feature


Meta has released an update to its Facebook Messenger app that enables users to use shortcuts, a new command system, and adds a little additional fun to their messaging experience. By just typing keyboard shortcuts, you can access a number of helpful functions.

Currently, the firm has only introduced two shortcuts to Android and iOS customers – @everyone and /silent. When an urgent message has to be communicated to all members of a group, you can use the @everyone shortcut.

This shortcut ensures that your message receives maximum exposure and that no one is left out. Alternatively, if a message needs to be delivered silently to the recipient, the /silent shortcut can be utilised.

Meta is also preparing to provide additional shortcuts in the near future, including /pay, /gif, /shrug, and /tableflip. Among these, the /pay shortcut will be available on both Android and iOS, while the others will initially be available just on iOS. The functionalities of the upcoming shortcuts are listed below. 

  • /pay – shortcut makes it even easier to send and receive money right in your one-on-one Messenger chats.
  • /gif – helps to find GIFs instantly 
  • /shrug & /tableflip – to automatically type out the ¯_(ツ)_/¯ and (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ emoticons, respectively. 

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