Social networking giant Facebook is set to host a special event on Tuesday, Jan. 15, where the company is expected to unleash a bagful of surprises. Speculation has been rife that Facebook will take the wraps off the Facebook phone at the event, and now a new rumor has emerged and suggests that the company will also announce the Facebook Messenger app for tablets.

Follow us

The report comes courtesy TechCrunch who has got hold of a screenshot of the Facebook Messenger running on the iPad. The tech site notes that users can expect all the regular messenger features that are available, plus a new option that will enable one to record voice messages.

"I'm hearing that one of the products that could be announced is Messenger for iPad. Specifically I'm hearing that Messenger for iPad, replete with all the Messenger features we've come to love like emoticons, photosharing, read receipts, location tagging, group messaging, and the new voice-recorded messaging feature, is ready for the public eye. And basically, it's what exists on the iPad but in a bigger format," noted Alexia Tsotsis of TechCrunch.

The site's source has let on that the application is ready for the Jan. 15 launch, even if the focus of the event is slated to be a mobile phone announcement.

If the new Messenger app for tablets sees the light of day, it is a matter of time before video chats, VoIP, and voice messages via messenger services take over, pushing the traditional phone usages to the backburner.

Per TechCrunch, a strong possibility exists that Facebook is rebuilding its app database to prep for the revamping of its "core product on mobile" and the social networking giant is starting with the Messenger app. Either way, the site is confident that the Messenger for iPad will launch very soon.

Join Our Conversation

Smartphones

LG Optimus GJ Waterproof Smartphone Now Official, Will Sport $600 Price Tag

Nokia Launched LiveSight For HERE Maps On Windows Phone 8

Samsung Galaxy S4 Sells 10M Units In First Month, More Color Options Coming This Summer

HTC One Google Edition With Stock Android May Arrive This Summer

Tablet / Laptop / PC

Amazon Launches 7-Inch And 8.9-Inch Kindle Fire HD Tablets In 170 Countries

Lenovo ThinkPad Helix Hybrid Tablet-Ultrabook Now Available Starting At $1679

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Leaks In Benchmarks With Intel Inside

Samsung Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 8.0 Top Consumer Reports Rankings

Gadgets

Recharge Your Phone In 20 Seconds With This Revolutionary Device

Ouya Will Be At E3 2013, But Not Where You Think

Next Microsoft Xbox To Sport Dashboard UI Update And Tile Changes

Google Media Streamer Hits FCC To Replace Nexus Q

OS / Software

Former Nokia Team Jolla, Announces First Sailfish Powered Smartphone For Asia

Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Update For Samsung Galaxy S3 Transform It Into Galaxy S4 (To Some Extent)

iOS 7 To Come With Flickr, Vimeo Integration

Samsung Galaxy S4 'Google Edition' Will Be Available In U.S. Only?

Internet / Social Media

AT&T Promises Cellular Video Calls, Mobile Video Chat For All Customers

Flickr Boasts 'Spectacular' Redesign, Offers A Whopping 1TB Of FREE Storage

Download 40 GB In A Second: Researchers Set Up World's Fastest Wi-Fi Network In Germany

YouTube Shoppable Videos - Will Google Hit A New Jackpot?

What's App

Nokia Launched LiveSight For HERE Maps On Windows Phone 8

Nokia Xpress Now Web App Announced For Asha Devices

Samsung Galaxy S4 App Contest Boasts $800,000 Total Prizes For Talented Devs

Intellicam App Brings First Hands-Free Camera Feature To Windows Phone 8