Facebook has released a revamped Messenger application for both Android and iOS, boasting a completely redesigned user interface (UI) and some neat new features.

With the latest update, it seems that Facebook is trying to catch up to other cross-platform messaging services or apps that are sporting SMS integration.

"As more and more people use Facebook to connect with their friends on mobile, we are focused on building the best mobile products. Facebook messaging started as a desktop chat experience, but when it comes to messaging on mobile, people want something faster and lightwerweight," touted the social network in an announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 13. "Starting today, we're testing an update to Messenger on Android that makes is a faster and more reliable mobile-to-mobile messaging experience."

The new Facebook Messenger app is now live on both Android and iOS, sporting a redesigned UI with new color combinations, icons and tabs, as well as a neat new messaging functionality.

With the new Facebook Messenger, mobile users will not only be able to message their Facebook friends, but also send messages to anyone in their contacts list via SMS. When you open the revamped Messenger for the first time since the update, you will see a prompt to sync your contacts with the app so you can send messages to people who are not in your Facebook list. If you don't want to sync your contacts with the app but would still like to enjoy this functionality, you can always add a new contact using a phone number, without having to sync all.

Moreover, the revamped Facebook Messenger also makes it easier to see who's online and who is using the new app on their mobile device. Users who have Facebook Messenger installed on their Android or iOS handset will appear with a blue icon right next to their name.

The new app also comes with three tabs now. The first tab displays your recent chats, the second one shows a list of contacts who are online, and a third one allows for easy access to Settings.

To get the new Facebook Messenger app for Android head here. For the iOS version, access this link.