Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)
![Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)](http://thenextweb.com/files/2009/10/facebook-logo-300x300-150x150.png "Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated) Photo"){kind=logo}
Update from Facebook at the foot of this post
We have been tipped off that there may be an “improved” version of the Facebook news feed in the works. The new feed is not very different from the current one available, but it does lack Facebook’s signature “Publisher” box by default and instead simply features an alternating title and a button (positioned to the top right of the news feed) with the text “Update Status” which when clicked, displays the publisher box.![Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)](http://next.gnration.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif "Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated) Photo")
The design also features a new “Top News” link (The link then switches to “Recent Stories” once you have clicked the “Top News” link) which shows an overview of the top news on your news feed (this seems to filter the feeds that have received the most comments/likes).
The refreshed design reminds us of the new Facebook Lite design in terms of the new grey buttons and subtitles at the top of the news feed. We are currently unsure if this is a site-wide change or if it is only being tested on a select few accounts. Do you see these changes on your news feed? If so, how long have you experienced the new design and what are your thoughts on the changes?
Do you miss the Facebook publisher showing by default or do you prefer the new “lighter” design? You can find several screenshots of the design changes below.
Recent Stories
![Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)](http://thenextweb.com/files/2009/10/first.png "Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated) Photo")
Top News
![Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)](http://thenextweb.com/files/2009/10/top-news5.png "Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated) Photo")
Another screenshot of the new recent stories view
![Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated)](http://thenextweb.com/files/2009/10/recent-stories4.png "Confirmed: Facebook design refreshment in the works [Screenshots] (updated) Photo")
Thanks to Sam for this tip!
*Update:* I have seen these changes for myself and we can absolutely guarantee that the above screenshots are not a hoax and are genuine.
*Update 2:* We have received confirmation from Facebook regarding the news feed and pass on the following statement:
“We are currently testing different designs of the News Feed and the home page with select users. The tests help us understand if we can make it easier for users to balance both the most important and the most recent information from people they’re connected to.”
Simon is a young web entrepreneur from Cheshire in the UK, who started his professional career in the web industry at just 16 years of age. Working for a large UK-based social networking company until May 2009 , Simon then decided to leave and start his own company GNRation. Follow Simon on Twitter.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by webquebec. webquebec said: Possible Facebook design refreshment in the works?: We have been tipped off that there may be an “im.. http://bit.ly/rutoI #web [...]
Not seen any changes happen to me yet. Not entirely sure about this update. The News Feed is fine as it is for now. Don’t like the ‘Update Status’ button really as the current box is simple for tapping out a quick status/link/picture.
I would be interested to see the general reaction to this if Facebook do decide to do a full roll-out.
I do find it strange myself that they have opted to make you click a button before you can post out a status..
Really, I miss the old facebook , the one before the current ..
The current you need to be online at least 12 hours per day if you have a lot of friends to keep up with the news ..
The old one was just collect the important things in a way much better than that “Highlights” column !
While the security of blurring out names is appreciated, and a good policy to see regardless of the source, it’s still really easy to see some of the names on these screenshots. Just figured I’d make a note of it.
Simon needs to learn how to properly blur names for anonymity.
I’d check with Jason Westerfield, Richard Hales, Alice Burgess, Louise Stokes, or Sam McEwan. Definitely don’t learn from Tasha Fulton – she’s just given up completely.
I didn’t blur the names! Someone else did for me haha :) I’ll improve the blur myself now :).
[...] over everything else. Now, a new version of the news feed has appeared in the wild, as spotted by The Next Web. The redesign looks simpler, and not so different from Facebook Lite, the site it introduced in [...]
[...] else. Now, a new version of the news feed has apparently appeared in the wild, as spotted by The Next Web. The redesign looks simpler, and not so different from Facebook Lite, the site it introduced in [...]
[...] | by Jennifer Van GroveView commentsComments From the looks of a few screenshots shared with The Next Web, Facebook News Feeds, an integral part of the Facebook homepage experience, are about to undergo [...]
Whats with the stupid blurring? I can still read the names.
[...] from The Next Web Posted by admin @ 6 October 2009 0 comments Tags : another , Facebook [...]
Looks like an improvement.
Via Digg
[...] the looks of a few screenshots shared with The Next Web, Facebook News Feeds, an integral part of the Facebook homepage experience, are about to undergo [...]
[...] may have missed. Now, a new test version of the news feed has appeared in the wild, as spotted by The Next Web. The redesign looks simpler, and not so different from Facebook Lite, the site it introduced in [...]
Not too sure on the update myself. Not too keen on having to press an extra button to post an update (oh how lazy my generation is!).
Via Digg
[...] the looks of a few screenshots shared with The Next Web, Facebook News Feeds, an integral part of the Facebook homepage experience, are about to undergo [...]
Are you kidding me with these screenshots? Take the names out for cripes sakes.
As said before we didn’t blur the images, we were handed them. We don’t have the originals therefore we can’t improve them I’m afraid!
[...] the looks of a few screenshots shared with The Next Web, Facebook News Feeds, an integral part of the Facebook homepage experience, are about to undergo [...]
Yum, refreshments!
Via Digg
[...] the looks of a few screenshots shared with The Next Web, Facebook News Feeds, an integral part of the Facebook homepage experience, are about to undergo [...]
Here we go again. Don’t frak it up like the last time FB.
Via Digg
[...] the looks of a few screenshots shared with The Next Web, Facebook News Feeds, an integral part of the Facebook homepage experience, are about to undergo [...]
I guess a few days back this happened to my facebook account.
For around 1hour my page was transformed into a similar page and all apps had gone dead no app updates or anything.
I even twitted about that. Thought facebook #fail.
lol.
But i guess this could be better than facebook lite.
well the poke isn’t at the bottom of the page now.
Via Digg
Didn’t they roll this out a week or two ago?
Via Digg
*Waits for the bombardment of "Bring bak the old Facebook plz!!!" groups*
Via Digg
who wants to start the first protest group?? c’mon, it’ll be fun.
Via Digg
Was there a point to blurring the names? You can still read them…
Via Digg
Is it weird that the pictures are blurred out but the names are still legible?
Via Digg
Facebook is going to change it’s layout? OH SHI- EVERYONE GET READY TO COMPLAIN!Time to start hiding people on my fb list, shit is about to go down.
Via Digg
Hmm, how about spending some time on fixing FB chat? Yes, it sucks. Badly.
And what is with this 4 day lag when I refresh? Meaning, why does it often show my newsfeed from 4 days ago, instead of today? Current?
Don’t waste your time changing the page. Spend your time finishing what you started.
I think this is a bad direction to go if Facebook is really trying to become more like Twitter and encourage people to share more content with friends. Not having an empty box waiting for text to be entered, plus an extra button click, will probably decrease the amount of content shared on the site.
Via Digg
I can has dislike button finally?
Via Digg
wow, about time… better late than never i suppose
Via Digg
Changes…?Commence shitstorm!
Via Digg
Jesus, it seems like they just made the one they’re using now.
Via Digg
Why did they even bother blurring people’s names in the screenshots? They’re still clearly visible…?
Via Digg
What a lazy job at blurring those names dude, can read them all:
Jason Waterfield, Chris Davies, Louise Stokes, Sam McEwan… lol
ok, that was quick. (fixed the blur)
No, he didn’t.
Am I in love or just lusting? Do you like me back? Why do I even bother?
Via Digg
As I tried to explain in the comments on the actual article we were given the screenshots by someone else and we did not create them ourselves sadly. We are also unable to get original copies of the screenshots to improve the blur (if we want to) or remove the names until later today..thanks!
Via Digg
You can’t stop the signal.
Via Digg
"improvements" is right.
Via Digg
I need a dislike button, not an extra step to publish something!I like the fb publisher at the top of the page, anyway. :(
Via Digg
like it’ll matter. They had a vote, with like MILLIONS of people asking to change it back, and they just ignored it.
Via Digg
I wish…http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Facebook-Facelift-H …
Via Digg
Just make chat more reliable. I’m tired of "waiting to send . . . " or "Error, cannot send" messages.
Via Digg
I’m pretty sure I found the guy with the purported ‘redesigns’.http://www.facebook.com/sam.mcewan1
Via Digg
and now that you’ve gotten used to the "new" design would you really want to go back to the old one?
Via Digg
[...] the looks of a few screenshots shared with The Next Web, Facebook News Feeds, an integral part of the Facebook homepage experience, are about to undergo [...]
how deeply psychological of you
Via Digg
Now that would be fantastic.
Via Digg
I actually preferred the recent update but I’m not too keen on this proposed change.
Via Digg
I don’t givez a shit.
Via Digg
Sam McEwanLouise StokesLaura JonesChris DaviesAimee SmithEdward Charles PeckMadison Louise GoffordDemi CraigRachel TillerCasey DaughtryKowther QuashouChelsea UnderwoodJacob WilsonOlly ThomasJason WaterfieldRichard HalesAlice BurgessTony BrowneStephen McewanAmber CoeNishele KinghamWith a cameo appearance by Coda and Microsoft Word.Congratulations for not learning from Daniel, Jake, Kelvin, Oli, Josh, and Sapphire. Rachel, Casey, and Kowther… who knows what’s up with them.
Via Digg
I don’t want people tagging me on images that aren’t even pictures of people. Maybe they could do something about that, because it’s really annoying.
Via Digg
who liek cares as long as new twilight movie still update yes
Hmmm… No.
Wait, how long have they changed pictures from rounded corners to squares? I just noticed it in the picture and sure enough it’s actually already square again.
Via Digg
People still use those?
Via Digg
Blur the blur….
Via Digg
MILLIONS of people isn’t very much when you’re talking Facebook users.
Via Digg