Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s CEO, kicked off the social media giant’s annual developer conference today known as #F8. The company suffered some recent privacy scandals and is now trying to transition into a privacy-focused messaging platform.
Here’s what you need to know about Facebook’s upcoming changes:
Facebook is Updating its Look
Both the desktop site and the mobile app will undergo a transformation. During the event, the company stated it would be a much neater layout with an all-white look and possibly a dark mode. The goal is to have the newsfeed take a back seat and place emphasis on Groups and Events, as well as to make it more user-friendly.
The company said the mobile redesign would be launching immediately, while the desktop version should be rolled out in the next few months.
Facebook Messenger is Being Redesigned
The messenger app will also see a redesign aimed at making it fast, easy-to-use, dependable, and secure. A new desktop app will be introduced for both Mac and PC. The redesign will feature a new Friends tab to make it easier to see Stories, and there will be a “watch together” feature to see videos with your friends.
Facebook is Putting an Emphasis on Privacy
Zuckerberg has made it a priority to regain the trust of its user-base. He outlined six components that will help accomplish this goal: Private interactions, encryption, reduced permanence, safety, interoperability, and secure data storage. But this privacy-focused version of Facebook will take another year to create.
Facebook Introduces Secret Crushes
Have you ever wanted to find out if your crush has the same feelings for you? Secret Crushes is a new Facebook feature aimed at doing just that. However, Secret Crushes is only available where Facebook Dating is already established. That excludes the UK and the US.
Facebook Redesigns ‘People you may know’
Meet New Friends will be the new version of ‘People you may know,’ based on your profile data. This is how Facebook will introduce you to people that you share interests with. The feature can recommend someone to you based on similar groups you’re interested in, or if you’ve both worked the same job, or attended the same school.
Facebook Expands its Portal Feature
Facebook’s Portal video chat devices were introduced months ago but have only been available to those living in the US. Now Facebook wants to make the Portal feature available to other countries including Canada and Europe. Canadians can expect to pick up a Portal in June while those in Europe can expect it to start in the fall. Furthermore, Portal will get WhatsApp calling and end-to-end encryption for all calls.
Facebook Aims to Compete with Amazon
Facebook marketplace wants to give Amazon a run for its money with new shipping and buying features. You’ll now be able to buy directly from Marketplace and Facebook will ship it anywhere in the United States. Sellers can choose which shipping carriers they’d prefer to work with depending on their needs, as well.
Schedule Appointments With Facebook
During the #F8 event Facebook said there are 40 million businesses presently using Messenger, so they will be adding a new feature that will enable customers to schedule appointments through the Messenger app. You will also be able to send a message to the business via Messenger to make, cancel, or reschedule your appointment.
Facebook to Release its Virtual Reality Headsets
Facebook and Oculus have announced that the release date for their Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift S virtual reality headsets will be May 21, 2019. Oculus Quest and Oculus Rift S will be available in 22 countries for $399 each, and they’re currently available for preorder.
For more information, you can visit the official Facebook F8 website.
