WOW.
I just watched the live stream of the f8 Conference. Facebook unveils even more changes to the platform. Big, big changes. Really amazing changes.
WOW.
Look, I came into this a bit concerned. Facebook loves to go big. They do it every year. And each time, it seems like they shock us with just how big they’re going, pushing the lines of what users will accept. I worried that, particularly with Google+ now in the picture, Facebook would overreach and make updates that would go too far.
This is the new Facebook Timeline, formerly known as your profile. Specifically, Mark Zuckerberg's.
That didn’t happen. In fact, I feel like Facebook is more focused than ever to produce a truly amazing social product.
Facebook users are notorious for reacting negatively to any and all changes, big and small. Some of it warranted, much of it based on misinformation and a lack of understanding. Some of that is still bound to happen this time.
But… I truly expect that users will embrace the changes to the new Timeline (formerly your profile) and Open Graph integration with music, movies, television and apps. It may be too much for some. But the rest are in for a potentially amazing social experience.
I am going to write separate posts for each of the major announcements, but here are my takeaways:
1) The new Timeline is beautiful. Big photos and well designed.
2) The Timeline becomes a destination. It becomes the story of your history with Facebook. It can also be the story of your life.
3) Applications now become a part of your timeline and who you are.
4) Music, TV, movies and games become even more social. See in the Ticker that I am listening to a song. Listen to it with me. Watch a movie with me. Watch my game.
5) “Liking” is gone. You will now be “Reading” a book, “Watching” a TV show or movie, “Cooking” a recipe, etc. The verbs and possibilities are limitless.
6) You can still “share”, but applications will otherwise be broadcasting your activities. You now make a one-time action upon adding the app: “Add to Timeline.”
Concerns?
1) Privacy. Facebook claims the apps will be transparent and very easy to choose your audience. But some will always test this and not be careful, exposing their life’s activities to everyone.
2) Too much information? The Ticker is going to BLOW UP. This could be cool. It could be information overload. But it also may just mean redefining information consumption.
More to come. What do you think of the news?
