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The annual Facebook developer conference F8 kicked off on May 1st, US time! The spy brings you a tip from the front.
According to past practice, Facebook founder and CEO Zuckerberg will reveal the key points of the conference before the annual developer conference. If last year was based on the theme of "augmented reality", and Xiao Zha happily posted a shave photo, then this year's theme is not at all light and happy...
An hour before the conference, he posted the above paragraph, mentioning that Facebook has built a new user privacy control method. For example, users can see which applications are using your personal information, and you can choose to clear your personal information with one click. cookies, etc.
Since the "Cambridge Analytica" app leaked the data of more than 80 million Facebook users, Facebook has been exhausted by user privacy and data leakage...
How exactly did Facebook deal with user backlash and threats from regulation? It can be said that today's F8 conference is a day for Facebook to hand in the answer sheet to the outside world.
Clear browsing history with one click
Sure enough, in the first part of the conference today, Zuckerberg focused on privacy. It seems that Xiao Zha still learned a lot from the congressional hearing.
However, what Xiao Zha said today is similar to what he said at the congressional hearing, such as how to ensure that there will be no such thing as Russia interfering in the US election? ——Facebook's answer is: test the placement of political ads, users can not only see who has placed political ads, but also search for past political ads ; remove fake accounts to prevent malicious users from defrauding; increase hiring The audit team has increased from 15,000 to 20,000...
Just when Xiao Tan was about to reopen the congressional hearing video to listen, Xiao Zha suddenly threw a heavyweight: Facebook is going to launch a new feature of " one-click clearing history "!
In the updated version of Facebook, there will be a button like the above, as long as you select "Clear History", you can clear the browsing history on Facebook with one click.
In the past, users used to use their Facebook accounts to log in to some third-party websites. In this case, your past browsing information may be sent back to Facebook. Of course, Facebook can track what you have logged in and what you have browsed. Next time you When you log in to Facebook again, the ad will appear naturally, reminding you that "you haven't bought it yet"...
Now, as long as you choose to clear this history, whether you searched for diapers on Walmart, or you searched for lipstick on Sephora, it is impossible to see these businesses pushing ads for you from your Facebook page.
One more thing, it's an opt-in feature where users can choose whether or not Facebook collects their data. If you choose to participate, the data is retained as part of anonymized data, but not associated with your personal account. If you don't want to participate, then keep me off Facebook history!
From a privacy perspective, the move is considered one of the most important in Facebook's history. It marks a major concession Facebook has made to the latter between making money and placating users and regulators in the wake of the Cambridge scandal and congressional hearings.
If users can choose whether to clear their browsing history, how can the data privacy originally stored on Facebook be protected?
A roadmap was also given at the F8 conference. In addition to launching a survey on third-party apps with large-scale user data in March this year, it also sent reminders to users, which third-party apps you have logged in to, and those you don’t want to use can be deleted. . This month, Facebook is also preparing to release details of its privacy controls in response to the EU data bill.
As a developer conference, of course, it has to be friendly to developers.
After the "Cambridge Analytica" incident, Facebook temporarily interrupted the review function of developer apps. However, Xiao Zha announced today that Facebook will reopen the app review process.
Facebook's social matrix: don't forget the original intention, social first
At every press conference, Facebook never forgets to take out its “Family Bucket” APP for a walk, and today is no exception. But if I had to sum it up in one sentence, it would be "don't forget the original intention, social first".
In addition to the aforementioned "delete history", Facebook has launched another new feature "Watch Party", which simply means that you can socialize while watching dramas and videos with your friends .
When talking about this, Xiao Zha used the example of the video he attended the congressional hearing a few weeks ago:
In the applause and laughter of the audience below, Xiao Zha said to himself: "This way you can watch the video with your friends! If you have a friend who goes to the Congress for a hearing, you can watch him together... I'm in Congress Several of my friends actually shared this with me during the hearing! Hope I don't have to go to Congress any time soon. ”
In addition, Facebook has also added a "group chat label" to group chats, so that everyone can join different groups according to their interests - isn't this a WeChat group?
The groups that Xiao Zha joined include "family group", "dog group" (that is, the dog he raised like a mop), "running group", "game group" and so on. The few groups he added made him sound like a quiet otaku, right?
And Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, the sons of Facebook, Xiao Zha took care of them impartially:
That's right, Instagram is now more than just beautiful pictures! Zha announced at the conference that Instagram will have a video chat feature. The video can be minimized while chatting, so as not to delay users from using other functions. (...Wechat again?)
If it is really different from WeChat, it may be that you can add some animated expressions, animated filters, etc. (such as spoof beards, hats, etc.) when chatting with Instagram. . .
If the scout says, if it is really not copied from somewhere, it may be that Instagram has opened various functions to third parties. You hear a great song on Spotify and post it on Instagram? Can. Do you think you're in good shape on your GoPro? It is also possible to repost directly to Instagram.
What, you said that this is not sharing a shrimp music in WeChat Moments? But, at least this is not borrowed from Snapchat, right?
We all know that there are many Internet celebrities on Instagram, but it is inevitable that Internet celebrities will suffer from cyberbullying or something (even Tantan is sometimes scolded inexplicably in the background!). To combat this phenomenon, Instagram has a " troll filter "!
How is it used? If the filter finds that there are users attacking other people's looks or other insulting words, this "troll filter" will block these meaningless negative information, and those who do not change will be flagged by the system. . .
After talking about Instagram, let's talk about another son, WhatsApp.
Just a day before the current F8 conference, WhatsApp made big news: WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum announced his departure from the WhatsApp and Facebook boards. Koum is said to have clashed with Facebook over the issue of "encrypting personal data."
It happened so suddenly, the outside world was still confused. But when Xiao Zha talked about WhatsApp today, he sincerely expressed his gratitude to Jan Koum at the beginning. But while WhatsApp has no CEO for the time being, it has added new animated emojis, hangouts, better privacy, and more. (Sure enough, Instagram has it, and WhatsApp has it too!)
Now let’s talk about Facebook Messenger, the favorite of North American users. If it’s empty words to say “the user interface is more concise and clear”, then the most real thing is to add the instant translation function.
In order to allow users from different regions to communicate freely, Messenger has added an instant translation function. When you send Spanish, the English translation is also attached below. Both languages are currently supported.
In terms of commercialization, Messenger is exploring the possibility of becoming an online marketplace (Facebook Marketplace). You must know that Facebook's Marketplace, a second-hand trading market, has more than 70 users in 70 countries, with more than 800 million daily active users!
How to make trading easier? Everyone should have experience in dealing with customer service, right? Now, merchants who have settled in Messenger can not only chat with consumers in real time, but also add AR effects directly to the chat.
For example, if Sephora, the global makeup chain giant, is chatting with you through Facebook Messenger, you can directly "try" different colors of eye shadows, blushes, etc. through AR, and you can see the effect of different cosmetics on your face without leaving home. Now, is it beautiful?
But having said so much, Xiao Tan found that although there were no major breakthroughs at the developer conference today, in the 30-minute keynote speech, Xiao Zha repeatedly emphasized: to turn social networks such as Facebook into a people-to-people platform. A place for " meaningful socializing " where people don't just read the news, but find communities of interest, interact with friends, and ideally meet new people.
In this way, Facebook is indeed trying to return to the original purpose of "connecting people better" in the past.
In addition to connecting with your family, close friends, friends and other people you know, Facebook also wants to help you find your future close love. Yes, you heard that right: Facebook is going to be an online matchmaker site !
Entering the online dating market
At today's conference, Zuckerberg has been emphasizing that Facebook's goal is to build meaningful human connections. Xiao Zha said that he always felt a sense of accomplishment when he walked down the street and saw a couple who had become attached to Facebook leading their cute baby. (Where do you often appear, Xiao Zha, can you tell me?)
But for many single dogs, the most meaningful interpersonal relationship is of course dating! So, Xiao Zha announced today that Facebook will start to enter the dating platform world.
"We're going to have real, long-lasting dating relationships, not just sex ."
Looking at Xiao Zha's sincere look, the single scout just wanted to say: Xiao Zha, the mothers who urged marriage would like to thank you!
Why did Facebook choose to enter the dating space?
According to the data, one-third of married couples in the United States met through social platforms. At the same time, as the social networking site with the most users in the world, as of 2017, among the 2.2 billion monthly active users of Facebook, there were more than 200 million active users in the United States. In other words, two out of every three Americans are active Facebook users.
Despite all the buzz surrounding the "delete Facebook" campaign, Facebook's huge user base has become an obvious advantage for Facebook to enter the dating market.
At the same time, in the United States, some mainstream dating applications, such as Tinder, and even domestic Tantan, will use the quick registration option of Facebook account when registering.
How can such a business-minded Xiao Zha watch other dating apps use Facebook's platform in vain? So, just do what it says, and Facebook can become a dating platform on its own.
How to use the dating function?
Zha said that in the upper right corner of the user's Facebook page, there will be an optional heart-shaped "dating" option. When you turn on dating, your Facebook friends can't see if you're in dating mode at all. That is, your date will not be in your circle of friends. You can create a profile of friends according to your preferences. And strangers won't see your full name.
"Complete confidentiality and security" , Xiao Zha, who was boiled by Congress for two days because of the privacy breach, repeatedly emphasized.
When the dating function is turned on, you can see batches of potential dating objects, and you can also join various activity groups (Meetups) that interest you. If someone in the group says they want to play with you, and you choose to accept their invitation. Then the two of you will be linked to Messenger and you can start communicating.
Currently, the dating feature will only be released first in the continental United States in English and Spanish.
As soon as this new plan was announced, it has already caused huge waves in the United States. Because it affects the vested interests of Match Group, the largest dating platform in the United States, in the first place. The giant, which owns online dating products such as Tinder, OKCupid, and Match, is facing a crisis of declining user numbers and a massive drop in revenue. This time Facebook is coming, and Match Group may be overwhelmed.
In contrast, small dating platforms have to face Facebook's situation of "big fish eat small fish". In this move, Facebook is taking a ruthless move!
"We also do hardware!"
After talking about the software and application updates, Zuckerberg reminded everyone: In fact, we will also do hardware!
Today the conference officially announced: Oculus Go, a virtual reality headset, will be released simultaneously in 23 countries around the world! In fact, every year at the F8 conference, Xiao Zha does not forget to emphasize his continuous efforts in the field of VR/AR. It seems that Facebook really believes that VR/AR will usher in an explosive period, even if the wind has died down now.
Back to the Oculus Go, which costs $199 , which is a lot cheaper than the previous Oculus Rift, with 32 GB of RAM and $249 for the 64 GB version.
Because it is cheap, the product itself will definitely not be particularly good. However, the unique feature of this hardware is that it is a mobile and portable device, but it can be used as a standalone product and no longer has to be supported by a computer or Android phone. the easy way".
The Oculus Go can track the user's head movements, but not your body movements; you can also use a remote to steer it, but the remote's pointing capabilities are limited.
Basically, this product can be compared to Samsung's Gear VR, but it is much lighter (468 grams) and more comfortable to wear. In addition, Oculus Go also supports all games and apps that can be played on the Gear VR, and some new games have also been launched simultaneously. However, in general, there are still too few interesting applications that support VR. The New York Times even denounced some famous VR games as "too stupid", which is also one of the important reasons for preventing VR from "flying into ordinary people's homes".
However, Facebook is still insisting on launching new products and constantly improving the Oculus hardware family. Oculus Go is also the only hardware product launched at this F8 conference.
According to our observations, the most exciting moment of applause in the audience was when Xiao Zha announced that he would give everyone an Oculus Go . …
Compared with the high spirits of previous years, this year's F8 conference was shrouded in the shadow of persistent data leaks, and a group of executives spoke cautiously; in addition, this conference was not related to the current outlet (such as blockchain), so The media were relatively silent.
The spy's idea is: We can't ask Facebook to bring breakthroughs and surprises every time. The down-to-earth improvement and the repair of the corners also show a serious and responsible attitude.
However, it is also true to miss the previous Zuckerberg and F8 events, the subtext of "I made this, you can't do it!" and "Facebook produced, it must be a boutique!", as well as the self-confidence and invincible aura, It's the excitement of technology and products!
What do you think is the biggest highlight of the first day of this F8 conference?
For more exciting reviews, click on the previous wonderful articles of the spy:
The latest report on Zuckerberg's congressional hearing: 5 hours of fierce battle with 44 members!
Perfect Zuckerberg, hapless Facebook
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