In its process of making the social networking features more safe and suitable for the users, the Facebook has expunged the 'Nearby Feature' which enabled users to pinpoint the location of their friends. However, to compensate the service, the American giant has introduced another functionality called Wave, to make your closer presence being felt by the nearby loved ones.
The absence of the map from the “Nearby Friends” option on the Facebook App’s “More” tab was first reported by TechCrunch. The website Facebook later confirmed that the option which allowed users to view the exact place of their friends is not available anymore. The website report also added that the main visual component will be removed as a consequence of the pulling back of this feature.
There is also a feature called “Wave” in succession to the “Poke” that let people nudge the friends they wish to. With the “Wave” feature, the Facebook users can broadcast their nearness to their friends in close proximity. It is a healthier and lighter way of letting people know that one is interested in catching up or just letting them know that they are nearby. The resultant discussions can take place on Messenger later on if both the friends are free and feeling right to go ahead. This option is, however, still in the testing phase and available to only few users.
The termination of “Nearby Friends” map and start of the “Wave” would certainly evict the anomalies that the former feature had while introducing a better alternative to identify the friends who are accessible. The major flaw that the erstwhile function had was that it permitted a person to note the precise location where a nearby friend is, permanently or temporarily. That may favour even the people who wish to stalk or reach anyone without proper notice.
With “Wave” the message that is sent loud and clear is that just because someone is nearby, doesn’t mean he/she is available too. In other words, this new function shall certainly preserve the privacy and ensure safety of the social networking people. Another problem that was faced with the map sharing option was that it led to swifter draining of battery of the Smartphone users.
A Facebook spokesperson has stated and confirmed, “We are testing a new feature within Nearby Friends allowing people to send their friends a waving hand emoji to say hello and help them meet up. This is meant to give people more ways to express themselves, and help friends interact with one another in new fun and lightweight ways.”
Along with this fun feature, Facebook is also testing the Slideshow movie maker feature on Android Beta Apps. This is meant for posting and sharing a slide of multiple images and videos or both with music. The Slideshow Movie Maker has already been embedded in the Facebook App on iOS devices in June, earlier this year. The most widely used social website owners have also made other significant changes this year in both Beta and stable version of their Apps with the additions like video download offline and floating video widgets enablement.
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