-The main keynote kicked off 18 April at 10 am PST.
-This year is all about camera effects, AR, and bots.
Facebook has announced a bunch of camera effects, augmented reality developments, and chat bot-related updates for its properties.
The social network's developer conference is here. It's a two-day event that Facebook is using to discuss everything from augmented reality to upcoming changes to its Messenger service. Here's all you need to know about F8 2017, including what it is, how you can re-watch the main keynote's livestream, and all the major announcements.
The social network's developer conference is here. It's a two-day event that Facebook is using to discuss everything from augmented reality to upcoming changes to its Messenger service. Here's all you need to know about F8 2017, including what it is, how you can re-watch the main keynote's livestream, and all the major announcements.
Facebook F8: What was announced?
Messenger
Facebook Messenger: Here's how to use those Snapchat-like lenses
Facebook's Messenger service offers chat bots, thanks to its Messenger platform that's available to developers, but it’s still difficult to find and use the different bots available. Now, however, Facebook is introducing a new Discover tab that you can access from the home screen. It lets you sift through bots by categories, such as recently used and trending. There’s even a search field.
Facebook is also adding chat extensions into Messenger, allowing more than one person to interact with third-party apps simultaneously in a single thread. Another update for Messenger includes a new function for the M AI-powered Assistant. M will now be able to place an order through Delivery.com. In related news, MasterCard has also launched bots so you can order from FreshDirect and Subway in the US.
And finally, Facebook is trying to still make QR codes a thing. It is launching new QR codes that will make it possible for users to learn more about events in the real world. All they have to do is scan them with the camera in Facebook's main app.
Facebook Messenger: Here's how to use those Snapchat-like lenses
Facebook's Messenger service offers chat bots, thanks to its Messenger platform that's available to developers, but it’s still difficult to find and use the different bots available. Now, however, Facebook is introducing a new Discover tab that you can access from the home screen. It lets you sift through bots by categories, such as recently used and trending. There’s even a search field.
Facebook is also adding chat extensions into Messenger, allowing more than one person to interact with third-party apps simultaneously in a single thread. Another update for Messenger includes a new function for the M AI-powered Assistant. M will now be able to place an order through Delivery.com. In related news, MasterCard has also launched bots so you can order from FreshDirect and Subway in the US.
And finally, Facebook is trying to still make QR codes a thing. It is launching new QR codes that will make it possible for users to learn more about events in the real world. All they have to do is scan them with the camera in Facebook's main app.
Apple Music extension
Apple Music explained: What is it and how does it work?
Related to Messenger extensions, which are new ways for apps to integrate with Messenger, Facebook announced one of its first partners is Apple Music. David Marcus, head of Messenger, said: “I’m really excited to share with you that Apple Music will soon be on the platform as well.” But there weren’t any details beyond that. If we had to guess, it'll let you browse and use Apple Music from inside of Messenger.
Augmented Reality
What is the difference between VR and AR?
Zuckerberg talked a lot about how a camera can change how people interact with friends. The social
network essentially wants developers to build new AR camera effects for Facebook. It is therefore giving them the ability to do so - in a closed beta - starting immediately.
The hope is that dozens of AR-powered effects, including Snapchat-like masks and frames, will be available for the camera in Facebook’s main app shortly. An example may include the ability to fill a photo of a room with an object, such as candy, or maybe put fish around an image of a bowl. Facebook’s AR platform will also eventually enable you to leave a virtual note for a friend at a specific table in a restaurant.
You’ll be able to view the note when looking at it with the Facebook app's camera. Facebook is giving developers the software they need to create such experiences through AR Studio. Zuckerberg even teased that this tech may one day be implemented in AR glasses.
Facebook Spaces
How does Facebook see us being social in VR?
Facebook owns the virtual reality firm Oculus VR, and last year, Zuckerberg outlined how Facebook envisions virtual reality as the future of social interaction on the social network. Now, Facebook has lifted the cover on Facebook Spaces, an app that enables you to spend time with friends in VR. It is now available as a beta. With it, you can create a digital avatar and interact with friends in VR.
Facebook said it generates an avatar based on your photos, but you can still customise it. The social network also demoed how you can draw with virtual markers, watch 360-degree videos, and call friends through Messenger - all while in the Facebook Spaces app. The entire experience seems to be an expansion of Oculus Rooms and Parties, which Facebook unveiled at last year's Connect 3 conference.
Facebook Workplace
Facebook Workplace: What is it and how does it work?
Facebook Workplace, the social network's Slack-like, team collaboration software, is getting a free version that anyone can sign up for and use. It'll be dubbed the standard version, while the original, paid version will be dubbed the premium version. The standard version is currently being tested with a select group of users. Facebook said it plans to roll it out later this year for anyone to use.
Facebook Workplace: What is it and how does it work?
Facebook Workplace, the social network's Slack-like, team collaboration software, is getting a free version that anyone can sign up for and use. It'll be dubbed the standard version, while the original, paid version will be dubbed the premium version. The standard version is currently being tested with a select group of users. Facebook said it plans to roll it out later this year for anyone to use.
Developer Circles
Is Facebook going to show off new hardware products at F8 in April?
Facebook unveiled a new Developer Circles initiative. It’s free and open to any developer. It’s basically a forum for collaborating. Developers can organise offline revents and manage a Facebook Group in a specific region. The idea is that students and experienced coders can use it as a way to work together and create new experiences for Facebook.
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