Facebook Pushes Out Graph Search
Facebook improved their search by replacing it with Graph Search engine which is capability to search within your social graph for specifics. The search functionality includes ranking your friends based on how much interaction you’ve had, search based on stories or photos you’ve Liked, search for local businesses that have received a thumbs-up from friends and more.
Facebook Graph Search is now available as beta here.
Facebook Launches Voice Messages In Messenger App
Facebook updated its Messenger mobile apps for iOS and Android to include voice messages feature.
The Facebook Messenger app has a new option alongside the photo and camera buttons, offering a Record toggle that can be pushed and held to record voice messages.
Facebook also testing true VoIP calling through the Messenger app which will be out in the next few weeks. It is now being tested in Canada.
Facebook Releases Poke App For You To Send Risque Messages
Facebook released a new messaging app called Poke where users can send more complex greetings through the app, such as text, a photo or even a quick video. This real-time messages only last for up to 10 seconds. Poke app is currently only available on the iPhone.
You can now send silly or risque messages because Pokes are encrypted, and Facebook deletes the encryption keys two days after you have read the message. Key backups are destroyed within 90 days, making a poke completely inaccessible.
Instagram Selling Your Identity And Photos
Time to get rid of Instagram while you can. As of starting of January 2013, Facebook Instagram will start selling your photos and identity without your consent. The info can be found on Instagram update of its terms of service and privacy policies that will go into effect January 16 2013.
Here is the offending line from the policies:
To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you. You acknowledge that we may not always identify paid services, sponsored content, or commercial communications as such.
Facebook has purchased Instagram popular photo-sharing app for $1 billion in 2012.
Facebook Added Location Based Nearby Tab
Facebook added similar features of Foursquare and Yelp to the app with a new Nearby tab that will let users find restaurants and other locations in the vicinity.
This Nearby feature is available on the Facebook iOS and Android apps.
When someone looks for a place, the results that appear in their Nearby list are based on things like their friends’ recommendations, ratings, check-ins, and likes. If you’re a business with a physical location, here’s what you can do to ensure your place is more easily discoverable in Nearby:
- Update your Page to include all of your basic information, including your address, store hours, phone number, and details about your business in the About section
- Update your category to make sure you appear when people are looking for your specific type of business
- Encourage your consumers to like, check into, rate, and recommend your place
Facebook Will Stop User Votes On Policy Changes
Facebook is going backward on social by proposing an end to its voting system that allows users to share their feedback and weigh in on decisions regarding privacy on the site.
This is what Facebook have to say:
We deeply value the feedback we receive from you during our comment period. In the past, your substantive feedback has led to changes to the proposals we made. However, we found that the voting mechanism, which is triggered by a specific number of comments, actually resulted in a system that incentivized the quantity of comments over their quality. Therefore, we’re proposing to end the voting component of the process in favor of a system that leads to more meaningful feedback and engagement.
Facebook Updated iOS App With New Messeges Feature
Facebook has just released an updated iOS app version 5.1 that incorporates some features first seen in its standalone Camera and Messages apps.
From Facebook App Store:
Now it’s easier to chat with your friends and share multiple photos.
• Swipe left anywhere in the app to quickly see who’s available and send a message
• Add friends you message most to the top of your Favorites
• Share multiple photos fast
• Give real gifts to your friends using Facebook Gifts (US-only)
• When sending messages, see who’s active so you and your friends know how soon to expect a reply
Facebook To Introduce ‘Want’ Button
Facebook is reported to be testing out the new “Want” button. This potentially can be used by retailers to assess how much people want to purchase their products. The new service is called Collections and will start appearing in the US first before rolling out to other countries.
From Facebook:
Collections can be discovered in News Feed, and people will be able to engage with these collections and share things they are interested in with their friends. People can click through and buy these items off of Facebook
Facebook Usher Out Gifts Service
Today the social media company has launched Facebook Gifts, a service that lets you send real gifts to your friends on Facebook.
Facebook teamed up with Starbucks, 1-800-Flowers, Gund, and Magnolia Bakery to make it easy to buy and send gifts through the site.
From Facebook:
Choose a gift, attach a card and send. You can post your gift to your friend’s timeline or send it privately. Your friend can then unwrap a preview of the gift and it will show up on their doorstep a few days later. You can pay right away or add your payment details later. Your friend provides their address. To make sure they love the gift, they can choose the color, size or flavor that they want, or even exchange it for something else of equal value.
Facebook Gifts will roll out in the US first and elsewhere later.
Facebook Update Timelines With ‘Registered To Vote’
Facebook is trying to make you a better US citizen by showing your fans you have “registered to vote” through a new Timeline event.
From Facebook:
Election Day in the United States is right around the corner and people are increasingly using Facebook to discuss candidates, campaigns, and critical issues facing the country. Starting today, you can add to your timeline that you registered to vote, and share your story about when, where or why you decided to register. If you’re not already registered and want to be, you’ll find a link to your state’s election authority there as well.
It will interesting to see how well this new Facebook feature will encourage users to register before November’s election.
