Facebook Messenger to arrive on Windows Phone ‘soon’

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During a press event at Mobile World Congress, Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore says the messaging app is one of the most requested.

BARCELONA, Spain — Windows Phone users will finally be able to use Facebook Messenger.

Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore said the app will come to Windows Phone in the next few weeks.

“Facebook Messenger is probably one of the most requested individual apps we have our customers asking for,” Belfiore said during a press conference at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Windows Phone has received praise from reviewers, but that hasn’t equated to blockbuster sales. Last year, handset vendors shipped 33.4 million Windows Phone devices globally, giving the operating system a market share of 3.3 percent, according to IDC. That’s up from Windows Phone’s share of 2.4 percent in 2012, and marks a near doubling of the growth rate for the overall smartphone market. However, the operating system still greatly lags the positions of Android and iOS.

Expanding the app store is key to boosting Microsoft’s position in the market.