On Thursday, social network Facebook issued an update for its iOS Messenger app, bringing on new voice capabilities which allow the users to speak to one another or leave 1-minute long recorded messages. However, the update is currently available only for the Canadian users of the Facebook iOS Messenger app.

The data-driven voice function, which has now come aboard the app via the update, becomes operational when the iOS users press the "+" button which lies on the left side of the text input box. When the button is pressed, the emoticon and photo attachment menu - which now houses `Record Voice' - come up.

For recording their messages, users need to press and hold the record button, speak into the iPhone's mic, and record a brief 1-minute message. Upon completing the recording, the users have to release the record button to have the message sent.

Meanwhile, in addition to the iOS Messenger update unfolding the voice message function, Facebook is also reportedly testing true VoIP calling through the Messenger app. The service, which is presently in beta testing phase in Canada, will, as per Facebook's statement, be rolled out in the "next few weeks."

Once the VoIP calling tests are successfully completed in Canada, the Messenger app's VoIP service - which will take on Skype and other dedicated VoIP apps - will be rolled out in the US and Europe.