Archivi Blog
MySpace relaunches with new design and Justin Timberlake all over it
A totally revamped and unrecognizable MySpace has just gone public, enticing new joiners with a track by Justin Timberlake — who now owns a good chunk of the business alongside Specific Media. Based on the limited access teaser we saw back in September and the image above, this fresh incarnation of the social network retains the emphasis on music (“FREE Unlimited music and videos!”) but adopts a more commercial style of presentation. In a similarly modern twist, the site now lets you sign in with a Facebook or Twitter account as well as with your old MySpace details, which means there shouldn’t be too many barriers to at least exploring it.
Via: The Verge
Source: MySpace
Firefox introduces preliminary support for Social API, brings your networks into the browser
While you might use Firefox to access your social media of choice already, preliminary support for a new API has been introduced that could integrate key features into the browser itself. The aptly named Social API, will allow developers to embed services into the browser directly, letting you interact with friends and stay updated without having to open new windows, or keep hopping into different tabs. There’s no solid info just yet on how this will manifest itself, or how issues such as security and privacy might be addressed, but with testing beginning soon, we’re expecting the curtain to lift on the finer details soon. Interested developers can head to the source, for the other billion, you’ll just have to wait.
Facebook lets Americans try promoting their posts, won’t let you escape saccharine updates
Visiting your Facebook news feed can feel like a chat with parents eager for grandkids — it’s sometimes a flood of engagements, weddings and baby photos. Whether you enjoy it or not, that not-so-subliminal messaging is about to get more prominent with a US trial for promoted posts among everyday users. Just as with earlier deployments, American socialites can click a link to push a given post higher in others’ news streams and get feedback on just how many have taken a peek. The testing is limited to those with under 5,000 friends and subscribers to keep the celebrities and social media experts on the sidelines. However, anyone with a quiet life might want to duck and cover for the next few days while more sentimental friends push all their sugary updates to the top.
Facebook revamps Messenger for Android with friendlier chats, teases core app update soon (update 2: iOS refresh as well)
Facebook has already been making its mea culpas for the state of its main Android app, and it’s showing further atonement through an Android-first update to its Facebook Messenger companion release. The new app is imbued with a “more conversational” (if fairly familiar-looking) bubble-driven layout for chats. Likewise, it’s easier to see if a conversation is needed in the first place: a friend status list is always available with a swipe, while fresh support for texting directly from Messenger can keep the discussion flowing when SMS comes into play. Android users can get the Messenger upgrade today, with promise of an iOS equivalent soon. The regular Android app is getting an update as well, although we wouldn’t cry with joy just yet: it’s more of a parallel to the Messenger update than the speed-up that some of us crave.
Update: The company’s Christian Legnitto has posted a lengthy explanation that the Messenger rework and the core Facebook update (already available) are part of a new strategy that brings Android and iOS updates at regular intervals, rather than waiting solely for major features. If all goes well, the social network can provide speed upgrades and bug fixes at a much quicker pace.
Update 2: And the hits just keep on coming — although today is mostly about Android, Facebook has tweaked its main app’s iOS version (App Store) for iPhone 5 and iOS 6 support.
Facebook SDK 3.0 for iOS arrives in finished form, mobile ads tag along in beta
Rapid turnaround just may be the name of Facebook’s game. Just a few weeks after its SDK 3.0 for iOS reached beta, the new developer tool has surfaced in a polished version. As it’s shipping, the SDK continues to emphasize a more iOS-native experience, better API support and slicker session management. Any iOS 6 integration will still have to wait until Apple finishes its software update; Facebook is keeping a separate beta track active to serve forward-thinking developers. The social network’s regular members aren’t quite getting the same reward, however. The expanded app support is being followed just as quickly by a mobile ad beta. While Facebook is still sparing us from a full-bore marketing assault, it’s letting developers pitch their Android and iOS apps from Facebook’s mobile portals, with a quick hop to the relevant app store if the title isn’t already loaded. While there’s no estimated completion date, we have a feeling that this is one Facebook beta where most customers won’t mind a delay or two… or ten.
Twitter brings search autocomplete to the web, helps find Biebs tweets in record time
Twitter had been hinting at a big search update today, and that’s just what it delivered. Instead of the (quite frankly clunky) search results page, a search box at top now provides autocompleting search results that split into keywords and people. The system is smart enough to check for spelling gaffes and related searches, and results can drill down just to followed users rather than the entire social network. Autocompleting has been a mainstay of the Android and iOS apps for some time, but we’re glad to hear that web users can now track down their favorite recently graduated teen pop stars faster than ever.
Apple integrates Facebook into iOS 6, App Store, Macs
The string of iOS 6 updates has brought one of the more heavily requested social networking features: Facebook integration. You can share from core apps like Maps, Photos and Safari, but it’s woven even more deeply than Twitter was in iOS 5: you can use Siri to make your commands, and there’s now a public API for Facebook so that other apps can do the same. The App Store gets its own share of integration, with app recommendations based on what friends are using, and contact syncing now makes sure your social network is all lined up. Best of all, the Facebook integration is coming to Macs as well — so you’ll have a consistent experience no matter what device you’re on.
Bing gets big remake with Snapshot, social sidebar, dig at Google (video)
Microsoft’s determination to ratchet up the search engine wars just got clearer with a major rethink of Bing that includes a few potshots at Google. While the search results themselves are still prominent, there’s now a Snapshot area in the middle that aggregates the common tasks linked to your search, such as booking a hotel room. Bing hasn’t avoided the siren’s call of putting social networking into search results, putting in both search hits as well as the option of asking friends, but has tucked the results into a social sidebar at the far right. Not surprisingly, Microsoft has already declared it a far better alternative to Google+ in-line results, which it sees “cluttering your results with social updates.” You’ll currently have to use a desktop web browser to see all the new Bingness, although Microsoft is promising a mobile-friendly update within weeks.
Editorial: Facebook’s my digital scrapbook first, social network second
I never wanted to join Facebook. I never wanted to join anything online, really. I was coerced into creating a Xanga at some point, and eventually — when Facebook opened up to NC State email addresses — I begrudgingly created an account there, too. I had a “thing” about opening my life up to the internet. I knew already that prospective employers would inevitably go digging through shots of me celebrating at an NCSU basketball game and spike my resume in the trash can beside his or her UNC degree. More than anything, though, I just didn’t care what anyone else was doing. I kept a handful of comrades close to my chest, and everyone else was a mere acquaintance. At the time, I blamed it on the 21 hours of courses I was taking entirely on Tuesdays and Thursdays — who has time for online networking when you’re in an educational torture chamber? — but now I realize the truth: I never wanted Facebook to be a social network.
Facebook revealing the personal data it collects, won’t spare your drunk-poking blushes
Facebook’s massively expanding its Download Your Information service into an all-encompassing archive of the data Mr. Zuckerberg collects about your daily dose of people-stalking. DYL was introduced in 2010 and allowed you to pull down all the photos, posts, messages, friend lists and chat conversations in the archives — but now will also offer stored IP addresses, previous names you’ve used, friend requests you’ve made, with further categories due in the future. It’ll have to sate the concerns of privacy organizations worldwide, since it’s rumored to collect 84 different categories of information about you (85 if you count all those Instagramphotos it just bought). It’ll be gradually rolled out to all 845 million users in the coming weeks and is available from your general account settings.
Google+ gets a major update, simpler UI and heavier focus on Hangouts (video)
Google isn’t quite calling it version 2.0, but today’s update to its flagship social product is just that. As with most Mountain View projects, the new Google+ will rollout gradually, but as it does it may just lure back some of those who jumped ship early on. The UI has been greatly streamlined with a customizable ribbon of shortcuts on the left and your buddy list moved to the right. The main interface has been tidied up quite a bit and a new focus has been placed on one of the universally beloved features of the beleaguered social network — Hangouts. The video chat party lines will be getting their own dedicated home page too, allowing you to quickly peruse any Hangouts that are available to you. Even profiles are getting a dramatic facelift with larger photos and Sparks have officially been retired in favor of an Explore tab. Perhaps most welcome though is the enhanced multimedia sharing. To see all the fancy new features in action check out the videos after the break. And, of course, let us know if you’re seeing the shiny new layout on your end — we’re still waiting on Google to flip the switch for us.
Facebook Messenger for Windows app now officially official
The fact that Facebook had a dedicated messaging app up its sleeve for Windows will go down as one of the worst kept secrets in the history of techdom. In fact, after the client leaked back in December, Zuck and Co. unceremoniously dumped the executableon the web, opened up the help page and did so without an ounce of fanfare. Now the program is getting a proper launch, complete with a landing page and a press release (which you’ll find at the source). There’s not much here to shock or surprise — Messenger for Windows allows you to chat with your Facebook friends in a simple tabbed interface, check your news feed and delivers notifications to your desktop. Hit up the source link to download it now.
Facebook app update brings Timeline to the iPhone, iPad version coming soon
Facebook’s Timeline feature has only just begun to roll out across the globe, and now an iOS version has sidled up next to its Android counterpart — making it even easier for us to recheck our social network back stories. The new app is currently only available for the iPhone, but Facebook states that an iPad-friendly update will arrive soon. You will need to have already activated the timeline function on the web-based original, but downloading the latest version will also grant access to your friend lists and subscriptions. Some requisite performance improvements are also promised too. Cringe at some portable post-millennial fashion mistakes by grabbing the download at the source.
Facebook rolls out Timeline feature worldwide, it’s time to untag some old photos
Get ready for a This Is Your Life-style recap available online, as Facebook’s Timeline feature is now out of beta and available to all users worldwide. Originally announced during the f8 conference back in September, it wraps up all the information you’ve posted, friendships you’ve made and embarrassing photos you were tagged in, in a neat, date organized package. If you’re worried it may uncover some things better left private — and posted years ago before you were more savvy about social media — you can enable the feature and still wait a week before it goes public for viewing by others. Currently timelines are visible on the main site, via the recently updated Android client and the mobile version of the site. If you want to turn it on right way, head to the Introducing Timeline page and click Get It Now.
Update: Facebook has just rolled rolled out a fresh version of its Android app that you’ll need to grab for Timeline access there, the change log (after the break) also mentions changes including access to games & apps, new push notifications and a new photo viewing experience.
Facebook Blog, Introducing Timeline, Android Market, Timeline Mobile
Facebook outs Timeline, gives your profile page a new outfit (video)
Well, Mark’s just unveiled Facebook’s new look at his f8 keynote, and he’s calling it Timeline. The idea is to make it easier to see events, pics and posts from your past by placing a, surprise surprise, timeline on the right edge of your profile page that breaks down your content by year and month. It’s a much more visual experience than Facebook’s previous incarnation, and Timeline Views allow you to filter the content by photos, locations (courtesy of Bing maps integration) and much more. You can also add apps, “likes”, and all of your other content in neatly organized panes on your profile page to let you “tell the story of your life” in the way you want to — including the ability to go back and add stuff to your timeline after the fact, no flux capacitor required. Timeline’s going live in beta immediately for some, and a broader roll-out will be happening over the next few weeks. Get ready people, Facebook’s future is here.
Windows Phone Mango Twitter integration shown off, hashtagged (video)
Sadly, Twitter integration wasn’t part of the package when we checked out Windows Phone Mango at the end of last month. The feature has finally been rolled out in the latest developer build of the forthcoming mobile operating system, and WinRumors has taken it for a spin on video. Thrill at the simple setup process through Windows Live. Gasp at integration with the People and Me hubs. Stare in stunned silence at the threaded conversations. All that and more in the video after the break.
Page: growth on Google+ has been great, over one billion items shared
Wondering why Google+ ran out of disk space? Looks like it might be a casualty of growth: in today’s earnings call, Google CEO Larry Page revealed that since its launch, more than ten million people have joined Google+, sharing some one billion items every day. Those numbers not big enough for you? Then chew on this: that little +1 button? It gets clicked 2.3 billion times per day in its own right. It’s still a far cry from the 750 million users actively addicted to Facebook, but still, that’s a heck of a start.
Facebook video chat and Skype 5.5 beta hands-on
Earlier today, Facebook and Skype got a little friendlier, making it easy to find your Facebook friends in Skype and — more importantly — video chat with your Facebook friends in Facebook, a service powered by — you got it — Skype. Since you’re using Skype either way you slice it, we’re not interested so much in the call quality as we are the ease of use. Just how easy is it to make video calls using Facebook chat, which, simply put, has never been our favorite IM service? And what’s it like seeing your list of potential Skype callers expand to include all your Facebook buddies? Let’s venture past the break to find out.
Skype comes to Facebook, and Facebook comes to Skype (update: available now!)
It ain’t the first time Mark Zuckerberg has taken the stage to announce… something, but today’s shindig is resulting in “something” that’s a bit more exciting for the average user. As rumored, the world’s most notable VoIP service is set to become exceedingly integrated with the world’s most notable social network. Skype has just thrown up a teaser page for v5.3 for Windows (and v5.5 Beta), noting that Skype and Facebook will aim to provide “the best of both worlds.”
Zuck is primarily announcing three main things today: group chat, a new way to chat (“an easier way to find someone who is online”) and Skype-enabled video chat. Oh, and the tiny, tiny fact that there’s now 750 million Facebook members. What’s notable is just how easy it is to fire up a group chat (or send transcripts to group members who miss out) and get a video call going using your existing Skype contact list. A single click is all it takes, and we’re told that it’ll be rolled out to everyone “over the next few weeks” in 70 different languages. The new chat design will be scalable based on your browser size, and the company made a point to mention that it’ll be listening closely to user input in order to iterate as it moves forward.
Google+ iOS app already submitted for Apple's approval, employee says
Whereas Android users were able to get their hands on a Google+ app as soon as the social network launched, iOS users have thus far been left out in the cold, with nary a soul to “hang out” with. Fortunately for them, though, their arduous, week-long wait may be coming to an end, now that Google+ has applied for App Store citizenship. The confirmation came yesterday from Erica Joy, a Mountain View employee who shared the news on her Google+ profile. According to Joy, the app has already been submitted for approval, leaving it up to Apple’s council of elders to give the yea or nay. Joy didn’t specify the exact date on which Google applied for iOS entry (saying only that it happened prior to yesterday’s post), nor did she speculate as to when the app may be ratified. But unless it’s laced with political rhetoric or packing a dictionary, Google+ should sail through the approval process… maybe.
