Facebook Launches Android App Beta

Facebook has launched a beta testing program for its Android app, which will enable it to try out – and get feedback on – new features going forward, as well as improve the user experience on the wide range of Android devices. 

Users who opt in to the program will receive a monthly update containing a small batch of fixes and new features.

“Performance and reliability are top priorities across Android, but when we marry the platforms diversity of devices and OS versions with Facebook scale, the ability to test quality across experiences can become a challenge,” said Ragavan Srinivasan, Facebook product manager for Android in a blog post.

“While Android allows us to push the limits of whats possible on one end, we must balance that work by investing in providing optimal Facebook experiences on the incredibly wide diversity of devices that already exist.”

Hashtags go mobile

When Facebook launched its hashtag functionality earlier this month, mobile users couldnt search for them or click on them in posts – though tags included in posts made from mobile could be clicked on desktop.

The Facebook mobile site now supports hashtags, though the function still isnt available on its Android or iOS apps.

Branded stickers

Facebook has also launched its first branded pack of stickers for its Facebook Messenger app, promoting Despicable Me 2. It appears that Universal, the studio behind the movie, didnt pay for the stickers to appear – but Facebook is most likely testing the water.

Stickers rolled out in Messenger last month and, if they prove successful, charging brands to sponsor them seems like an obvious way of monetising the product. Its similar to OTT messaging app Lines approach, although in most cases those stickers are monetised by making users pay for them.