Facebook Chat Needs a Desktop Client
Introduction
In case you are living under a rock, Facebook launched Facebook Chat. Yesterday I spent a lot of time chatting with friends - most of that chat dealt with Facebook Chat itself. In general, I would have to say that I had a great first time experience. I conversed with friends that I would not normally reach out for simply because I did not have their AOL Instant Messenger screen names. The fact that Facebook eliminates this obstacle is a huge plus. That being said, there were a few issues I had with the usability of Facebook Chat, and I think that a Facebook Chat Desktop Client would make the Facebook Chat experience top notch. On top of that, a desktop client provides Facebook the opportunity to enter new markets.
Most Successful Instant Messenger Services Use Desktop Clients
AOL Instant Messenger, my personal instant messenger service of choice, is a great example of a desktop client succeeding. Most users are used to this type of setting, and even though there are services like Meebo, it is a normalized practice among most instant messenger services. Personally, if Facebook Chat came out with a desktop client, I wouldn’t even hesitate to make the switch away from AOL.
Possible Facebook Chat Desktop Client Killer Features
Integrating a Facebook Chat Bot
Every time you get a notification, wall post, event invite, group invite etc. (obviously you would choose these options) you would receive an instant message from the official Facebook Chat bot.
Choose Between Live Chat, Wall Posts, and Private Messages
When scanning through your buddy list a great option would allow for the users to have the ability to choose the type of message he or she is sending. Certain messages fall into certain categories, and it would be great to skip the process of opening up Facebook, searching for the friend, and then sending out the message. Off the top of my head, each chat box could have a small little drop down menu declaring the type of message you want to send.
Integrating Video Chat
Services such as Skype and AOL IM allow users to engage in video chat. Facebook has more users than both of these services combined (I think) and by adding this feature to an soon-coming desktop client would give Facebook another majority share in an interesting market.
What Do You Think?
What do you think about a Facebook Chat Desktop Client? What other features could be added to both improve the experience for the users and Facebook’s business?
