After debunking rumors that Facebook was shutting down on March 15, it seems like the biggest social network on the planet is testing voice chat with a number of its users. This particular feature has been rumored to appear on the social network for quite some time.
As Mashable points out, as well as its readers, which have sent in pictures of what appears to be a “call” button that is showing up when these users are viewing other people’s profiles. However, it is not clear what exactly this button does, one person has said that it initiates a voice call but does not connect to anyone.
All of this aside, confirmed reports tell that Facebook is currently working on the overall release of its new Facebook Messages product, which will bring together e-mail, IM and texting under the banner of Facebook with a shiny @facebook.com address. So it would be only logical to assume that the company might be willing to integrate VoIP, not necessarily with the Messages product, in Facebook.
Looks like Facebook is planning on presenting tough competition to Google which has for long let its users enjoy integrated voice calling in Gmail and has allowed them to make free phone calls in the United States and Canada throughout the year 2011.
No final word on the Facebook voice calling feature as yet, however we shall definitely report as soon as any updates are received.