Users Given the Choice to Preview New Features, Functions and Feeds PALO ALTO, Calif., July 21
PALO ALTO, Calif., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Facebook(R) today released a
new, cleaner and simpler design, along with the opportunity for users to
preview and test the next-generation features and functionality. The company
is inviting people to use the new design and try out the improved features by
navigating back and forth between the new and current versions of the site.
Access to the new design will be limited at first and gradually become
available to all of Facebook's more than 80 million users over the coming
days.
"We've made the changes rolling out today in order to highlight the most
recent and relevant information that users value, give users even more control
and ownership over their profiles and simplify the user experience," said
Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. "Facebook's new design makes it a
lot easier for users to share information, and we encourage them to check it
out."
The company has been developing the new design since early this year. Over
the past six months, more than 100,000 Facebook users offered constructive
suggestions on the layout and features, many of which were included in the
final version.
The Power of Feeds
Facebook uses feeds to deliver people news and information in a social
context. The evolution of the site design focuses on integrating powerful feed
technology and the Wall, a forum for users and their friends to post comments,
photos, videos and more, including content from third-party applications. The
Wall now surfaces more current and pertinent information, or "stories", about
a user and their friends' on Facebook.
New Types of "Stories"
Users have complete control over the stories published on their profile.
They also have the ability to adjust the size and prominence of stories and
can choose between having one-line stories, short or full stories. One-line
stories are one sentence long, while short stories include thumbnail photos or
content, and full stories display large, noticeable images.
Publish More Content
Located on the Wall tab, the Publisher feature enables users to create
more content than ever and in a centralized place. From the Publisher, a user
can add photos, upload video, or write notes, rather than navigating to each
individual application. Similarly, users can add content to their friends'
profiles through the Publisher on their profiles.
Easier Site Navigation with Tabs
The top menu is similar to the old design and allows users to access their
Profile, Friends, and Inbox. The left hand applications menu has been moved to
the 'Applications' link on the top of the menu screen. The Profile is now
split out into tabs:
-- The Wall tab displays the most recent and relevant information both
about the user and by the user;
-- The Info tab shows information about the user that doesn't change
frequently;
-- The Photos tab shows photos of the user as well as their albums;
-- The Boxes tab features all of a user's existing application boxes.
Users are also able to add individual tabs for their favorite
applications. This gives users greater control over their own profiles and
makes navigation faster and easier.
Applications and the New Design
Third-party applications are more tightly integrated into Facebook in
order to make using applications simpler and more seamless. Users will have
the option to interact with an application before adding it, grant it access
to their information, and decide where they want it placed, if at all, on
their profiles.
Privacy Controls
On Facebook, users choose what information they put in their profile,
including contact and personal information, pictures, interests and groups
they join. And they control the users with whom they share that information
through the privacy settings on the Privacy page of their profile. The new
design does not change any of the privacy settings previously selected by the
user.
The new Facebook design will be made available to users at
http://www.new.facebook.com. In the coming weeks, all Facebook users will
automatically default to the new site design when logging in at
http://www.facebook.com.
About Facebook
Founded in February 2004, Facebook's mission is to make the world more
open and transparent by giving people the power to share. Anyone can sign up
for Facebook and interact with the people they know in a trusted environment.
Facebook is a privately-held company and is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.
Facebook(R) is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.
SOURCE Facebook
