Facebook recently jettisoned chat from its standalone Facebook app and forced users to download the separate Facebook Messenger app for real-time interaction with their friends.

The move irritated those who didn't want to download yet another app (Google recently did the same thing with Drive). But there were also concerns about the large number of permissions the app requested upon installation, particularly on Android.

In response, Facebook said "that Android controls the way the permissions are named, and the way they're named doesn't necessarily reflect the way the Messenger app and other apps use them."

Specifically, the Android Messenger app requests permission to take pictures and videos; record audio; receive text messages; and read your contacts - all things you need to contact and interact with your Facebook friends within the app.

So, is it really a big deal? Should you avoid Messenger or is it a handy tool? We polled the PCMag staff to see what they thought about Messenger, and most had good things to say, save for those concerned about the permissions snafu and the extra space eaten up by Messenger. Here's a rundown of their favorite features.

Chat Heads: This feature displays your friends messages in pop-up bubbles - or chat heads - featuring their profile pic, even if you're in another app. "I think chat heads is a cool UI that takes advantage of the touch-screen interface in a new way," said Features Editor Evan Dashevsky. Software analyst Michael Muchmore also likes chat heads, but "only because you can quickly see who's contacting you, and quickly drag it to the bottom to dismiss if you're not interested."

Stickers and Emoticons: Stickers and smiley faces aren't just for third-graders; they have also made their way into today's most popular chat apps. Muchmore praised Messenger's stickers and "tons of extra downloadable groups of sticker themes," while Reporter Stephanie Mlot said she loves "the seemingly endless options of emoticon packs. I can express my feelings via animated dinosaurs, foods and household items, or even mythical creatures." Software junior analyst Max Eddy, meanwhile, quipped that he "came for the adorable Pusheen animated GIFs and I stayed for the messaging."

Speed: Facebook promises that chatting through Messenger will be faster than chatting through the Facebook app, which Eddy has found to be true. "Getting to Messenger required opening the Facebook app, then tapping the Messenger icon. Now you're just there," he said.

Simplicity: Eddy also praised the singular focus. "It's got a clean, simple interface," he wrote. "Freed from the big Facebook app, it can focus on ease of use and it succeeds. Much more than any other messaging app it's simple and useful." Muchmore, meanwhile, likes that there's no need to create a new account; just sign in with Facebook, and access across platforms.

Voice Calling: "I keep getting phone calls on Facebook Messenger," said PCMag's managing editor for software, Sean Carroll. Yes, one of the features available on Messenger is free voice calls, though you and the person you're calling need to be on Wi-Fi. If your friend is offline, Messenger supports voicemail, but everyone hates voicemail now, right?

Those who took issue with Messenger, meanwhile, were largely concerned about the extra steps. Features Editor Eric Griffith commented that "I like that I can usually avoid it since they didn't take the Messenger functionality out of the Paper app (which is a much better way to read Facebook, anyway). At least, they haven't taken it out YET."