Facebook debuted a slew of changes coming to the platform at F8, the developer conference, today. They will soon be launching several new products and features that will make it easier for Users to communicate with people and businesses.
While these changes will make Facebook more user-friendly for the average person, it will definitely offer some advantages for businesses using the platform to market and advertise.
Here is what will be coming soon…
- Spherical Videos
Much like Google Maps’ Street View, Facebook will soon support videos shot with 360 degree camera technology. This will allow viewers to click and drag on the screen to change the perspective they see.
- Purchase Tracking Within Messenger
Facebook’s stand-alone message app will be integrated into e-commerce sites. When you make a purchase online you will have the option to connect the e-commerce site to your Facebook account. Companies can then send you notifications about your purchases in the Messenger app.
- Message Reply with Apps
You will be able to use third-party apps within the Messenger app. So if you want to create a meme or gif, you can open an app that does this in Messenger. You can make your creation and send it. You will no longer need to exit Messenger, open the other app, make the creation, copy it and go back to Messenger to paste it in and send.
- Embed Facebook Videos on Other Sites
Making it more attractive to upload videos on Facebook instead of YouTube, you no longer need to share videos by linking to them. With this change you will now be able to upload videos to Facebook and get embed codes to place them on other websites.
- Other Comments Online Will Show Up on Facebook
If you read a blog on another site and comment on it, and if that blog has been posted on Facebook, your comment will show up under the blog post on Facebook. This will help media companies generate more engagement with their content. BuzzFeed and The Huffington Post have been among the first to test this feature.
- Control More Devices with Facebook
Entering the IoT, or the Internet of Things, Facebook announced new ways for developers to build programs within Facebook that will control anything, such as opening your garage door.
- App Analytics
Developers will have a dashboard that will let them see who is interacting with their apps.
Some exciting new things are coming to Facebook. From the personal user perspective these features will enrich the Facebook experience. From the business perspective these changes will only enhance marketing and advertising efforts.