Facebook closes the doors on its Creative Labs

Facebook's Slingshot is one of the app's getting the boot.

You might not be familiar with Facebook’s Creative Labs but that team’s been responsible for introducing the social network’s standalone apps like Slingshot, Rooms, and Riff. All of these together with said team have been shut down. The three Creative Labs apps have been pulled from iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Slingshot was Facebook’s Snapchat-like service; Riff was for “riffing” on viral videos; and Rooms was the company’s anonymous chatroom app. Users who already have the apps can still use it. Those who use Rooms can continue to do so until December 23^rd. There’s no final posting day set yet for Slingshot or Riff.

Even though Facebook is disbanding its Creative Labs division, some of the features developed by the team are being integrated into Facebook’s main app. For example, Paper, a Creative Labs’ creation, is being used as an inspiration for the look of Facebook’s Instant Articles project. This goes to show that while Facebook is a successful social network, it doesn’t mean all their projects meet the same level of success as the others.

Source: MacWorld

Facebook takes on Periscope and introduces new Collage feature

If you own an iPhone and are in the US, you might be one of the lucky few who get to test out the new feature from Facebook that reminds us of Periscope (it’s basically Periscope, really). The social network is testing out the ability for people to share live videos on Facebook. Those who have access to the feature just need to tap on Update Status and select the Live Video icon. You can tap out a quick description and choose who gets to watch the video live. While you broadcast, you’ll see who’s watching the stream, how many are viewing this live, as well as real-time stream of comments. Once you’re done broadcasting, the video can be saved on your Timeline for other users to watch at a later time. Or you can also opt to delete your video. If you like watching these videos, you can select the Subscribe button while watching a clip so you’ll be notified once the broadcaster goes live.

Facebook’s also introducing a new Collage feature that will make it easier for you to group photos and videos from a particular event or place together. When you select Photo, you’ll be able to see your recent moments in the camera roll arranged in a collage format. You can arrange the photos and videos to your liking, take out or add images and clips, and then add a title to the collage before you share the image. This feature is rolling out on the iPhone today and will be coming to Android early next year.

Source: Facebook Newsroom

Facebook's Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan to donate $45 billion to charity

Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have made a number of big announcements. The couple has formed Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, an organization with the mission to advance human potential and promote equality.

The Initiative's areas of focus will include personalized learning, curing disease, connecting people and building strong communities. The bigger announcement was that Priscilla and Mark are contributing 99% of their Facebook shares -- currently worth about $45 billion as of today -- during their lives to advance the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative mission. Last but not the least, the couple also announced the birth of their daughter, Max Chan Zuckerberg, who was born Thanksgiving Week and is the inspiration for their charity.

Facebook helps you get through your breakup

Being Facebook official is a thing but what happens after the relationship goes sour and you’re through with your partner? Facebook is hoping to make the transition a bit easier for you with the new tools they’re testing out. Once you indicate in your relationship status that you’re no longer in a relationship, Facebook will prompt you to try out a variety of tools.

These include seeing less of a former partner’s name and profile picture as well as posts on the site without having to block or unfriend them. Their name also won’t be suggested when people write you a new message or when to tag friends in photos. It can also limit what your ex can see. Edit past posts with a former partner and untag yourself from posts with that person. Facebook is testing these out on mobile in the US and will roll out further based on feedback. The tools are optional and can be accessed in the help center.

Source: Facebook Newsroom