Facebook has launched a new app for Android and iPhone that focuses purely on the instant messaging portion of Facebook. The app, known simply as Facebook Messenger, is available in the Android Market or the App Store. If you haven’t logged into your Facebook app on your phone in a few days you may notice a download notification appear that will redirect you to Facebook Messenger.

If the person you’re talking to has the Facebook Messenger app, all messages are delivered to him or her via push notifications. However, if he or she doesn’t have the Facebook Messenger app, they are delivered via SMS, Facebook Chat, or Facebook Messages. This means you can use it to reach all of your friends – whether they’re on Facebook or just in your phone contacts. All you have to do is type the person’s name and the message. Piece of cake, right?

You can get the Facebook Messenger app for free in the Android Market or App Store.