Facebook Messenger goes emoji crazy with new update

There are now over 1,500 new emojis to choose from when you use Facebook Messenger. The social network listened to its users, with 10 percent of them include emojis in the messages they send on the app.  The new emojis include gender-agnostic ones, multicolored ones, as well as more female-oriented emojis that include things like female police officers and female runners, to name a few; which Facebook says is its way of making Messenger “more representative of the world we live in.” And the great thing is, the emoji rollout is the same whether you’re on Android or iOS. No more confusing inter-mobile operating system emojis. It’s a consistent experience throughout. For skin tone of the people emojis, you can change those in the Photos & Media section of Facebook Messenger’s settings.

Source: Droid Life

Facebook reportedly thinking of using end-to-end encryption for Messenger

Facebook-owned WhatsApp already has end-to-end encryption activated by default on its messaging platform. And it looks like Facebook itself is mulling over the idea of bringing this into its own Messenger app. But unlike WhatsApp, end-to-end encryption will be a separate mode that users need to enable. The Guardian reports the opt-in approach is being taken with Messenger because having messages encrypted means Facebook will interfere Facebook’s machine learning, which is needed for its recently launched chat bots.

Source: The Guardian

Facebook tests more customizable categories for your news feed

If you feel like you're not getting the stories you want on Facebook, there's a possibility you'll get a highly customized news feed in the future. The social network is helping you refine your news feed further by separating it with categories, including things like travel, music, TV and movies, science, and food, to name a few. These get refined further by specifying, for example, animated films in the entertainment category. If you find it tedious to look at all categories, tags will appear under the posts on your news feed. Facebook continually refines its UI so if this does become an actual feature, it might not appear the same way it does now.

Source: The Next Web

Facebook shows off first video using its Surround 360 rig

Curious about what kind of videos are possible with Facebook’s Surround 360 camera rig? Mark Zuckerberg posted the first video shot and produced with the Surround 360. It shows what’s possible for virtual reality movies and what the camera is capable off. The clip is a 3.5 minutes and has you sitting in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal watching people as they pass by. It makes you feel like you’re right there in the midst of everyone. The great thing is you don’t need a VR headset to see the video. We’d suggest using your phone since it lets you change views by just tilting the device.

Source: Mark Zuckerberg | Via: Engadget