13 New Facebook Announcements : Everything you Need to Know

We take a look at Facebook's biggest announcements this year and its plans for the future.

Facebook is an online social networking service headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Its website was launched on February 4, 2004, by Mark Zuckerberg.

Today, the social networking site has more than 60 million active members, roughly the same population as the U.K. These users can now upload photos, have group discussions, and even play games on their individual profiles; they can also add one another as “friends” and connect with users who share sim­ilar interests, regardless of where they are in the world. Nowadays, more businesses and corporate folks are joining Facebook too, adding their pages to the Facebook network. Advertisers are even turning their attention to this growing market for good reason—there is strength in numbers.

So what should you know about Facebook Announcement?

1. Facebook will hide updates from your ex

   It's reported that Facebook is testing a new feature to help users get over a nasty break-up. Facebook will hide statuses from exes and their name won't appear when tagging someone in a photo or status.

2. Apple Music and Spotify on your timeline

   Facebook is now adding 'Music Stories' to users' timelines. This new feature will allow users to listen to thirty seconds of songs and albums from Spotify and Apple Music. This service is currently only available on the Facebook iOS app.

3. News app

   It's reported that Facebook could be launching a breaking news app next week. The app will be called Notify and will provide real-time news updates.

4. Message requests

   Facebook have announced a new feature enabling its users to connect with others they may not already be 'friends' with. Facebook intend to send notifications alerting users of new messages to be either ignored or responded to. Previously, these messages were sent to the 'other' folder within the inbox and for most of us, never seen.

5. Live sport updates

   Facebook is allegedly testing real-time sport updates to be delivered right to your phone. It's reported that users will be able to subscribe to receive updates that will appear within the messenger app.

6. Dislike button

   Finally the dislike button could be here soon! Facebook have reportedly said they are working on a dislike button and are nearly ready for user testing. This is excellent news for most Facebook users after years of asking.

7. Messenger

   New developer tools to integrate GIFs, photos, videos and audio clips in the Messenger tool. Zuckerberg also revealed that businesses will be able to integrate with Messenger as a way to speak to its customers – similar to how firms deal with complaints or FAQs over Twitter.

8. Facebook Analytics for Apps

   Developers have been given a dashboard to measure how people are using their apps so they can better understand their devices, allowing them to tailor their marketing campaigns to ensure their app takes off.

9. LiveRail

   Video and display ad revenues for mobile app publishers can be managed through LiveRail’s monetisation platform. This means developers can follow Facebook’s method of providing personalised advertising.

10. Internet of Things

    A new line of IoT Parse SDKs were announced, starting with one specifically for Arduino Yun – a wifi-enabled makerboard that helps connect inanimate objects to smartphones. Parse’s founder Ilyar Sukhar gave a nod to a smart garage door manufacturer that built a door that can be unlocked through a smartphone through Parse.

11. Open Source

    Facebook’s chief technology officer Mike Schroepfer announced several open sourced designs for its infrastructure that developers can use.
    Firstly, an iOS version of React Native – which allows developers to build Ios AND Android UIs without a browser or WebView has been opened up on Github. In addition, Fresco, Component Kit, Year Class and Connection class have been open sourced and Nuclide is set to follow.

12. Facebook AI

    Facebook’s artificial intelligence experts have already proved influential through their recent research publications. But the F8 developer conference showcased one of their most recent technologies, Memory Networks, which showed a machine able to answer sophisticated questions about a Lord of the Rings synopsis.

13. Oculus

    Oculus' chief scientist Michael Abrash discussed various virtual reality achievements in recent years – and even his love for the Matrix – and delivered a kooky keynote in which he invited developers down the rabbit hole with him. While no announcements were made, it left attendees questioning whether social networking will blend with virtual reality in the near future.