Facebook for Windows Phone updated with new design, Facebook Messenger integration, video upload, and more

Microsoft today updated its Facebook app for Windows Phone, bringing a bunch of new features out of beta, including a new design. You can download the latest version now directly from the Windows Phone Store.

First off, you can see the updated design below. In addition to the overhauled user experience, Microsoft is promising “improved app performance,” but won’t elaborate exactly how much faster Windows Phone users can expect it to be.

Additionally, the app now supports more languages, gains the ability to upload videos taken with your Windows Phone device, and integrates with Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone. Windows Phone 8.1 users also get a few goodies: Facebook will now connect directly with the People Hub, meaning contacts, events, and photo albums are now powered by the Facebook for Windows Phone app.

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If you’re wondering, this is version 5.3 of the app. The official changelog isn’t as detailed, but here it is in case you need it:

• Updated design.
• Improved performance.
• Video upload.
• Messenger support.
• Post detail page.

This is the fourth release since Microsoft launched a Facebook beta program in April 2013. If you want to help Microsoft test the latest and greatest Facebook features on its mobile platform, grab the beta from the Windows Phone Store.

Microsoft, like BlackBerry, develops the Facebook app for its mobile platform. This is the reality of not being first or second in the mobile industry: for a long time, Facebook hasn’t been interested in building apps for your platform unless it’s Android or iOS.

That being said, earlier this year Facebook launched Facebook Messenger for Windows Phone, suggesting the tide may be turning. Add the integration between the two apps that arrived today, and there’s hope that Facebook is warming up to Windows Phone.

Maybe one day Facebook will take over development of the Windows Phone app. Frankly, if it cares about its users, it should do so. In the meantime, Microsoft users can only dream.