Facebook Reveals Two-Panel Messaging

by InvestorPlace Staff | August 24, 2012 12:10 pm

Facebook (NASDAQ:FB[1]) Messages got a new look Thursday, as the website announced that it will shortly switch over to a two-panel layout[2].

The new format features a left-hand column displaying a list of all the user’s conversations, which open for display on the right when clicked. Additionally, Facebook has added a series of keyboard shortcuts which, while not immediately explained, can be revealed by typing Alt Q on a PC or Control Q on a Mac.

The move away from the much maligned single panel format, in which users had to open a new window or depart from one conversation to enter another, has received generally positive reviews[3] from online commentators. As Firstpost[4] remarked, “The messages tab on Facebook hasn’t exactly been a prize-winning feature but it seems that the site designers are finally taking note.”

Nonetheless, the change has been criticized by some who find it eerily familiar. The Daily Mail[5] noted that “some users have already accused the firm of simply copying (Apple‘s (NASDAQ:AAPL[6]) iPad email system) with the two-pane design.”

Meanwhile, PC Advisor[7] warns users that Thursday’s unveiling marks “another step toward turning Messages into a full-fledged e-mail client.” Facebook received significant backlash earlier this year when it created default @facebook.com email addresses for users who had not previously requested them[8].
As of Friday, it appeared Facebook was still rolling out the new Messages format as some users reported having the system while other did not.

—Ryan Hauck, InvestorPlace

Endnotes:
  1. FB: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=FB
  2. the website announced that it will shortly switch over to a two-panel layout: http://newsroom.fb.com/News/A-New-Look-for-Facebook-Messages-1b2.aspx
  3. generally positive reviews: http://thenextweb.com/facebook/2012/08/22/facebook-launches-new-two-pane-layout-messages-adds-multiple-photo-support-keyboard-shortcuts/
  4. Firstpost: http://www.firstpost.com/tech/messages-on-facebook-get-a-new-two-pane-look-428955.html
  5. The Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2192651/Is-Facebook-aiming-inbox-New-messages-service-unveiled--looks-just-like-email.html#ixzz24TYNiaO8
  6. AAPL: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=AAPL
  7. PC Advisor: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/news/internet/3377622/facebook-messages-rundown-of-its-new-look/#ixzz24TZucpfz
  8. it created default @facebook.com email addresses for users who had not previously requested them: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2406284,00.asp

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