The biggest announcements from Facebook’s F8 developers conference held between May 1-2, in San Jose, California
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According to The Verge, when Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stage on May 1, he set the tone for what Facebook will do over the next year. The annual F8 conference is where Facebook developers come together to explore the future of technology.
The company unveiled several updates coming to its product lineup, including the core Facebook app, Instagram, Oculus, and WhatsApp.
Facebook dating
Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook will soon offer a dating feature that allows people to browse potential matches at inside groups or events you’re interested in attending. The feature will allow people to message each other using only their first names, and start conversations that are separate from the core Facebook or Messenger app.
OCULUS GO (Oculus’ first portable all-in-one VR headset)
The new Oculus Go will support social experiences like Watch Party, multiplayer games, and even live shows such as concerts and experiential theatre.
TechCrunch reports, that In addition to the headset, there will now be an Oculus TV hub for users to stream content from ESPN, Netflix, Showtime, and more. The app is a virtual home theater and a hub for non-VR video apps. Some of these services have been available via Hulu for some time, but the new hub should add more options for those investing in the new headset.
Messenger revamp
Facebook has unveiled an augmented reality feature for its Messenger app with a view to allowing users to visualise the products for which they are shopping. There will be also a facility for translating ‘Chat Threads’.
Clear history
Facebook is building ‘Clear History’, a new privacy feature allowing users to delete data Facebook has collected from sites and apps that use its ads and analytics tool.
Facebook is reopening its app review process. This is after the Cambridge Analytica crisis.
Introducing VR Memories and 3D photos
Facebook is bringing 3D illustrations and models to the News Feed. It’s also going to turn 2D photos into VR memories.
All-in-one Instagram stories
Most of the updates for Instagram today arrive to the app’s most popular feature to date: Stories. Soon, users will be able to user AR face filters from brands and influencers without waiting for Instagram to release its own. Starting with Spotify, SoundCloud and GoPro, other apps can share photos and videos directly to Stories inside Facebook and Instagram.
INSTAGRAM’s video-chat and filter for anti-bullying
Instagram is launching a video chat. It is also getting a new filter to protect users from bullying comments, plus an improved Explore tab.
Instagram is also continuing to transform into a full-fledged messaging app, with new video calling features that will allow group conferencing as well.
WHATSAPP GETS A FEW UPDATES, TOO
It will be receiving a few minor updates such as group video calls and stickers. Features targeted at businesses are to come, though the company did not outline specifically what during the conference.
