Facebook will now autoplay videos when you scroll past them in your iOS Facebook app. The change was added with today’s version 6.8 rollout for the app. There is no way to opt out of this change but you can adjust some of the playback features for autoplay to minimize the distraction, if peace is […]
Back in March Facebook summoned media outfits to its offices to show off its redesigned News Feed, which is without a doubt one of the most critical elements of the world’s largest social network. Much of the user’s time is spent on the News Feed, where they catch up with their friends’ activities, see posts from pages and groups as well as see advertisements. For a redesigned version to work the company needs it to perform equal to, if not better, than the existing design. Rumor has it that user engagement isn’t picking up on the redesigned News Feed, which is why Facebook has reportedly decided to shelve plans of a global roll out of the new design.
At this point in time, only a small fraction of Facebook’s over 1 billion users have access to the redesigned News Feed. For almost nine months this select group of users has been using the new design, and apparently it hasn’t driven up engagements, which would have been one of the primary reasons behind implementing a new design in the first place. If these rumors are true, then its possible that the company might not roll out the redesigned News Feed to all of its users. Facebook has previously said that its decision depended upon what it observed after the select group of users had used the new design, as per the rumors, Facebook has observed that its probably better off with the existing News Feed design.
Redesigned Facebook News Feed Might Not Be Released For Everyone original content from Ubergizmo. 
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I’ve found out about the untimely demise of several people not through friends or family, but through Facebook. It’s odd and a bit depressing to see messages of condolences sandwiched in between selfies and links to The Oatmeal’s latest comic, but it’s happening a lot more frequently these days as more people get into social media.
Grieving in person is one thing. Mourning on Facebook is another. With this in mind, Jono Milner founded Sanctri, a Facebook app where bereaved Facebook users can mourn and remember their loved one. It’s still on Facebook, but it offers tools and resources to go through the entire mourning process.
Milner explains: “Facebook is today’s public forum. People used to pay tribute in the classifieds section of the newspapers – now it’s on Facebook. Many people want to come together to remember someone online – especially given that we’re such a mobile population these days.”
He has a point. On Sanctri, users can create social memorials, a Lifebook, and make donations to charities. But is there a need for the app? Milner adds: “You’re still in Facebook, but a step away from the everyday chatter. Grief just doesn’t mix with photos from last night’s party. You don’t follow someone – you ‘remember’ them. You don’t ‘like’ something; you’re moved by it.”
You can find out more about Sanctri here.
[via C|NET]
Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, and other big names in tech have joined forces to protest government surveillance worldwide, calling for “Global Government Surveillance Reform” to better balance keeping citizens safe while also preserving their privacy. The group, which also includes AOL, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Yahoo, sets out five principles for transparency, oversight, accountability, and respect, […]
Eight of the largest companies in tech have joined forces to battle the NSA’s spying, demanding sweeping reforms of the US Government’s surveillance policies.
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Facebook’s “Like” button could be getting another overhaul. The company nixed the ubiquitous thumbs-up symbol, starting with a rollout at that began a month ago. Now it could be getting a more emotionally complex character in the guise of a “sympathy” button. A Facebook engineer this week told the Huffington Post that some of the […]
So we heard that Facebook was looking to introduce an Unfollow option to its social network soon which sounds like a great way of unfriending someone without offending them. While we’re on the subject of new features for Facebook, we know that many people out there are asking for a “dislike” button, a feature which we’re not sure will ever manifest itself, but it seems that Facebook could be considering a “sympathize” button. There are times when posts are made about a death of a celebrity, family member, the loss of a job, a breakup, and etc., and while it is understood that the “like” button does not actually mean you’re basking in their misery, we suppose having a “sympathize” button would be more accurate.
The “like” button can be used to convey various meanings, such as acknowledgement of your post/comment, a thank you, or a “that’s funny, I liked that”, just to name a few. The concept of a “sympathize” button was conceived by a Facebook engineer during the company’s hackathon that was held a while back. The idea was apparently well-received by fellow staff members, but unfortunately Facebook decided it was not the right time to launch such a feature, for now. What do you guys think of this idea?
Facebook Is Open To The Idea Of A “Sympathize” Button original content from Ubergizmo. 
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Invites have been sent today to a collection of Instagram users and press alike, these invites containing a block of wood with an Instagram photo printed up front. These blocks are approximately 4-inches wide and 4-inches tall and have a hole at the back made for hanging. These blocks could very well mean that Instagram […]
Facebook is rolling out an “Unfollow” button that’ll make it easier to turn off updates from friends and family that share a little too much on the social site.
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Schools are a place of learning and growing, but if there is a way to make things faster and more efficient, why not? The Internet can be said to be an indispensable part of life these days, so much so that having a fast connection would make perfect sense in order for students to take advantage of the top tier electronic learning tools on hand that are in the market. A non-profit organization known as EducationSuperhighway claims that majority of schools out there do not have decent connections that would be able to teach students digital skills such as basic computer programming, and hence they are collaborating with K-12 school districts in order to deliver fast Internet to the forefront.
This program was recently launched nationwide, where it was also the recipient of an unspecified amount of funding from the Gates Foundation. Facebook’s chief executive Mark Zuckerberg’s very own $100 million fund known as Startup: Education, will also play a role in this. Zuckerberg mentioned, “When schools and teachers have access to reliable Internet connections, students can discover new skills and ideas beyond the classroom. The future of our economy and society depend largely on the next generation using and building new online tools and services, and I’m glad to support EducationSuperHighway’s work.”
Facebook Founder Wants To Deliver Fast Internet To High Schools original content from Ubergizmo. 
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