Facebook F8 2019: Mark Zuckerberg’s Keynote Focuses on ‘Privacy’
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to talk about merger of WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger into one platform
Facebook kicked off its annual two-day developers conference in San Jose where company CEO Mark Zuckerberg spoke about Facebook’s plans for bettering user privacy on its platform.
Facebook said that it plans to introduce interoperability between its various applications like WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram bundled with end-to-end encryption.
Facebook also announced the availability dates for its new VR headsets – the Oculus Rift S and Oculus Quest, which has been priced starting from $399 (Rs 28,000 approx)
Key Announcements at the Facebook F8 Keynote:
- Mark Zuckerberg eyes improved privacy for Facebook and its products
- WhatsApp Payment to roll out in other countries after beta testing in India
- Facebook Portal now support WhatsApp calling via end-to-end encryption
- Messenger app redesigned to load faster and offers secured messaging
- Instagram will offer shopping to its users from within the app
- Oculus Rift S and Quest announced, shipping starts mid-May onwards
- Facebook to develop interoperability between all of its products
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Wrapping it Up
To sum up, Zuckerberg hasn't really told us something we don't already know. Messenger gets a major redesign. It will soon also be available as a desktop app for Mac OS and Windows. There will be interoperability between Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram with end-to-end encryption.
Facebook also touched upon Dating app, which will roll out in 14 more countries apart from the five it already is in. WhatsApp Payments will roll out to more countries. It has been piloted in India for nearly a year now. And the Facebook website will be getting a full redesign.
Zuckerberg is Talking About Payments via WhatsApp
Payments is India works with the help of the Unified Payment Interface (UPI), partnering with local banks, something that Google as also done for its Google Pay ecosystem.
Facebook Portal is Finally Launching
All video calls on Portal will be end-to-end encrypted and will be available for use on WhatsApp Calling and Messenger.
The hardware will be available for sale in the coming months in the international market.
AR coming to Facebook
Spark AR coming to Windows and MacOS. Most of the AR integration with the multiple apps that Facebook has in its ecosystem.
Shopping on Instagram is Here!
Zuckerberg is talking about shopping on Instagram where users will be able to buy different products from various brands through the app itself.
New Oculus Devices Unveiled
Facebook has unveiled new VR headsets in its Oculus line-up. The Oculus Rift S and the Oculus Quest.
Everyone at F8 will get a free Oculus Quest.
Safety is Key for Facebook
Facebook icon gets a makeover for the first time ever since its introductions.
Mark Zuckerberg laughs nervously as he says "People don't take Facebook's privacy seriously".
Facebook is redesigning the Facebook app to make communities as central as friends. This is FB-5 and puts private groups at the centre of the experience. Facebook website also being fully redesigned (and it's not blue anymore).
Mark Zuckerberg Takes Stage
The future of social media is ‘Private’, says Zuckerberg. The event has kicked off with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg emphasising on how Facebook can work towards bettering privacy.
Zuckerberg starts with talking about WhatsApp. The app will be focusing on 6 pillars of fluid communication.
-Private Interaction
-Encryption
-Reduced Permanance
-Interoperability
-Secured Data Storage
Facebook Messenger is getting an upgrade. It’s going to be more intuitive and deliver more privacy to the users. The new Messenger (under project Lightspeed) will be faster than conventional messaging apps.
It will use lesser battery and lesser data.
Facebook Messenger is going to be introduced for desktops and MacOS.
Messenger will introduce a Friends Tab where you will be able to interact with people you usually interact with on a regular basis in a separate space.