The social media giant recently released a new optional feature for its iOS and Android app users.
Last week, Facebook upgraded its mobile app for iPhone and Android mobile phones, which now gives users the option of using the microphones of their mobile devices to listen and identify music and TV content and share this information in their posts.
The audio-recognition feature can be turned on or off.
Users who are interested in taking advantage of this feature will be given the option to turn it on after updating the app and they will also be provided with information on how the new feature functions. If the user chooses to turn it on it will make it easier for them to share what they are watching or listening to as soon as they begin writing a post. The app will give users the option to include information about what is playing in the background if they want to include that in their status update. The feature can also be turned off at any time.
Aryeh Selkman, the product manager who was in charge of developing the app’s audio-recognition feature said, “We want to help people tell better stories.” He added, “I hope there are people who love the feature and post more.” If Facebook users share more about what is of interest to them, this could potentially increase the value of ads that are targeted at some of the social network’s billion-plus users.
The social media mobile app works much like the popular audio-recognition app Shazam.
The technology used in the Facebook app is very similar to Shazam because it utilizes the microphones that have been integrated into a smartphone to recognize television and music. Facebook signed deals to attain audio from 160 TV stations in America. According to the social media company, it only takes 15 seconds for the app to identify a live show.
In addition, Facebook has stated that it has made deals with music streaming sites like Rdio and Spotify, which gives users of Facebook the ability to preview songs that other users have shared. Songs can be previewed using the same mobile app audio identification feature.
The social network has launched a new application that is providing a far better experience.
The most recent mobile app that has been launched by Facebook, called Paper, is being applauded when compared to the previous application from the social network, which many people find to be far less engaging and far more frustrating.
The purely functional experience from the Facebook Home app has been replaced by visual appeal and ease of use.
With the release of Paper, Facebook has effectively exposed how unappealing its old application actually was and that it is capable of doing a great deal more with its mobile app. Paper is a kind of combination of the existing news feed on a user’s account with news stories and status updates from friends. It has eliminated menus and buttons in favor of more basic screen swipes. Instead of the standard form of the news feed, large images are available (which can be better seen with device tilts), status updates, and videos that auto-play.
This new mobile app also encourages more off-Facebook content consumption.
The reason that it can do this is that users can leave Facebook’s content to view other forms online without having to leave Paper. This can be accomplished by simply selecting the online media category that is preferred on top of the usual items on the news feed. Each of those elements can be seen in the same way as one would flip through a magazine. They include sports. Food, photography, and science, among others.
These new features in addition to a range of stylistic enhancements have made it obvious that Facebook is understanding how vital it is to break away from its older structure. It is trying to avoid the impression that it is aging – as Tuesday represents its tenth birthday. In internet time, the social network is virtually seen as ancient, so it is becoming critical that it remains cutting edge and keeps up its relevance to its users, no matter what device they prefer.
The Paper mobile app is also providing an additional opportunity for Facebook to display ads. It is believed that it won’t be long before users start to see lots of advertising working its way into the rest of the content that is being consumed.
