Facebook compiles best emergency tools into new Crisis Response hub

Facebook is bringing together all its emergency features into one place, which should definitely come in handy in times of need. The Crisis Response hub will house Safety Check, which will surface to the top of the hub if you’re in an area affected by a calamity or tragedy; links to helpful crisis-related articles, photos, and videos; a community help feature that will let you ask for and give crisis-related advice; and access to fundraisers and non-profits that will let you donate or help out during relief efforts. The hub is accessible both on desktop and mobile. It’s rolling out in the coming weeks so watch for it.

Source: The Next Web

Facebook tests coloured background comments

You've seen the coloured status messages, you've probably written some. But Facebook seems to be taking it further and testing the feature to mobile first. And we have to say, it doesn't look pretty. There are seven colourd/gradients to choose from and yes, we don't like any of them. We're hoping this doesn't leave the testing phase.

Source: The Next Web

"Humans of New York" docuseries coming to Facebook

Based on photographer Brandon Stanton's popular blog "Humans of New York" a new docuseries of the same name will debut next week on Facebook's new platform, The Watch. The 12-episode series will feature interview wiht the same diverse subjects often featured on his popular blog. The half-hour series will also be executive produced by Julie Goldman, the Oscar-nominated documentary producer behind such films as Life, Animated and Weiner. New episodes will be relased weekly.

"Humans of New York" Facebook series will offer intimate, candid and often surprising conversations with strangers on the streets of New York City. Stanton began working on the project about four years ago and has interviewed more than 1200 people. 

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Patent shows new details about Facebook’s AR glasses

If you’re wondering what Facebook is doing in the augmented reality space, a newly published patent shows us the possibilities. The device is described as something that can “augment views of a physical, real-world environment with computer-generated elements" and "be included in an eye-wear comprising a frame and a display assembly that presents media to a user's eyes." It has what’s called a waveguide display with a two-dimensional scanner being developed by Facebook's virtual reality arm Oculus VR. The display could be used not just for AR but for virtual reality, mixed reality, or a combination of those three.

The display will make use of lasers, scanning mirrors, and other elements to display content. According to the patent filing, the lasers will emit light onto the lens displays and transform these into the images and videos you’ll be able to see. There might also be audio courtesy of connected speakers or headphones. While the patent might be here, this doesn’t necessarily mean we’re getting the device soon. As Mashable points out, Oculus’ chief scientist Michael Abrash spoke at F8 saying that always-on AR glasses are at least five years away. For now, we can just think about the possibilities.