While one may anticipate some new ‘surprises’ from Facebook this year, such as intrusive video ads, blunt suggestions to make a gift or even more irrelevant sponsored posts in a newsfeed, instead the social networking site is testing a new paid service allowing users to send direct messages to those who are not on their friend list. This $1 option is offered to eliminate spam and make sure your message won’t be lost in ‘Other’ messages section.

Moreover, Mashable reporter earlier last week confirmed the rumour that the company might have been offering a premium messaging service to contact high-profile personas for $100 per message. An official spokesperson explained that in that way they were testing «some extreme price points to see what works to filter spam».

Photo: Facebook’s invitation for the press

Another controversial and continuously speculated ‘wild guess’ will be finally demystified today, as Facebook is expected to make an important announcement to the press regarding its ‘big launch’ at Menlo Park HQ. Some titles, such as Pocket-Lint, Sky News and Forbes are confident it will be a Facebook search engine to rival Google.

Other experts believe it may be a Facebook phone and a Messenger app allowing free voice calls. Let’s wait for the mystery to be uncovered at 10 am PST later today.