Facebook is introducing a ‘seamless messaging’ service that’s designed to work across SMS, email and Facebook’s own chat service. Users will be able to converse in real time with friends by using whatever method and device they want.
As part of the service, the social network is also providing an @facebook.com email address to any Facebook user who wants one. It’ll automatically filter messages so that email from people who aren’t on your friends list will be delivered to a separate inbox.
The company says it reverses the approach to preventing unwanted messages, putting you in control of who can contact you.
Facebook Messages will be rolled out gradually over the next few months. Around 4 billion messages are currently sent via Facebook every day.
[Facebook blog]