Facebook is refreshing user profiles and arming users with new tools to make their personal pages more interesting and lively. Profile videos, temporary profile photos, a new layout for mobile users and improved profile controls are starting to be implemented.
Mark Zuckerberg's brainchild is almost 12 years old. With more than a decade of being timid and nice, Facebook is now learning to dress up and put on makeup.
In a press release posted on Sept. 30, changes that lead to a livelier social network were announced.
Profile Videos and Improved Profile Pictures
Facebook Inc. notes that the world has changed since the social network was first introduced in 2004 and that current users are delving more into viewing and creating videos. Thus, Facebook user profiles will be equipped with the capability to host profile videos instead of just the decade-old inanimate stills. With the new feature, short clips added as video profiles will be looped and played for anyone who decides to drop by the page.
"Profile videos will let show a part of yourself you couldn't before, and add a new dimension to your profile," Facebook concludes.
Together with the looping video, the company will also introduce features for users to express themselves more through stills. One of these is the Celebrate Pride filter, which is now used by 26 million people.
Temporary Profile Photos
Temporary profile photos feature allows users to create images for specific events and set them as profile pictures for the duration of that event.
Think of it as a scheduler for changing profile pictures. For instance, you're scheduled for a week of vacation. With temporary profile photos, you can let the world know that you are currently in a vacation and by the time you come back home, it will automatically revert to your original profile picture.
Improved Profile Controls
In an effort to give users a better view of how others see their profiles, along with the information in it, Facebook will allot a customizable space atop the profile. The space can be curated and the visibility of information within it can also be managed. A one-line "Bio" field will also be available to be filled up with the information in the "About" section - education and work details.
For a more visually appealing page, users can also select five photos to be featured on top of their profiles using the same space.
New Mobile Layout
Together with the new profile features and customization, a new layout for mobile viewing the profile pages will be implemented. Instead of having the profile picture and profile video skewed to the left, it will be centered. They will also be bigger so users can express more of their creativity.
Along with the new layout, changes for easily viewing Facebook friend details will also be made.
"Photos and friends are right at the top, making getting to know someone and seeing the world through your friends' eyes as easy as scrolling," explained Facebook.
Facebook revealed that these features are already being tested in a number of mobile devices within California and the UK.
