Microsoft has overhauled the design of its Facebook app for Windows Phone, bringing an entirely new interface as well as the ability to finally upload videos to the social network.
The update, which brings the app to version 5.3, also brings a significant speed improvement, making it quicker to switch from the news feed to notifications and other areas, as well as several small button and feature animations that fit well within the smartphone operating system. Microsoft"s full listing of changes for the app is as follows:
- Updated design
- Improved performance
- Video upload
- Support for additional languages
Users now have the ability to quickly find people and pages thanks to the addition of a search button at the top of the app"s interface; next to that feature is a button for the friends list, located to the right of the screen, similar to the current non-beta version of the app. Below those buttons lies a row of icons for the news feed, friend requests, messages, notifications and more options; users can flip through these sections by swiping to the left or right.
The new video upload feature can be found on the app"s menu bar at the bottom. That bar features a button to update statuses, upload photos or videos, and check in at locations. When pressing the photo or video button, the user will be prompted to select one of the two media options before proceeding.
Microsoft"s Facebook beta app, which requires Windows Phone 8 or newer, can be downloaded from the Windows Phone Store here.