feeds

Facebook's new News Feed: Bigger is better

Facebook today unveiled a redesigned News Feed that incorporates bigger images and allows customization, giving the site a much-needed overhaul that the company hopes will ultimately keep user attention and attract advertisers.

Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg noted Facebook's goals for the new News Feed are richer story design, choice of different feeds, and a consistent experience on mobile devices and desktop Web browsers.

"What we're trying to do is give everyone in the world the best personalized newspaper we can," Zuckerberg said. "The best personalized newspaper should be intricate, rich, and engaging."

The changes … Read more

Facebook's redesigned News Feed: Join us Thursday, 10 a.m. PT (live blog)

Facebook is all set to potentially wow the world with a redesigned News Feed tomorrow -- or send users into a tizzy over yet another major change to the world's most popular social network.

CNET will be bringing you the news, images, and commentary as the event unfolds starting at 10 a.m. PT. Follow along with our live blog here:

CNET's live coverage of Facebook's unveiling of a News Feed redesign

The company is rumored to be launching content-specific News Feeds, so users can choose to, say, browse only photos and Instagram posts, or just see … Read more

Roku 3 streaming box rocks new features

CNET Update is cuckoo for Roku:

The Roku 3 continues prove its the king of the streaming machines. The latest version replaces the XS model with a faster processor and a new remote that includes headphones, so users can listen to shows in private without bothering others in the room. It also has a new interface that makes it easier to scroll through channels. Current Roku owners will also see the new menu in April.

The Roku goes beyond simply streaming videos on demand -- it also can tune into live TV channels with a new app for Time Warner … Read more

Why Facebook needs a new News Feed, and now

Tomorrow, Facebook will do more than window-dress News Feed, its most important asset. The social network will take nine years of intelligence on how members consume content to fashion the stream into a brand-new window that ideally provides people with the most optimal view at all times.

The company, according to TechCrunch, will allow for new ways to dive into News Feed. Members will reportedly be able to scan a photos-only feed of Facebook and Instagram images, or check out the listening habits of friends in a feed dedicated to all things music. Images will be bigger. Ads will be … Read more

Facebook will reportedly launch content-specific news feeds

Facebook will reportedly unveil on Thursday new ways for people to filter their news feeds.

The changes will include a photos feed of users' Facebook and Instagram images, as well as a music feed that will allow people to share what they are listening to, sources tell Tech Crunch. Bigger images are also expected in the Web and mobile versions.

The revamped news feed design will allow users to choose among different content-specific feeds, these sources said. A revamped music feed will include information about what tunes friends are listening to on streaming services such as Spotify and Rdio, as … Read more

Facebook is changing the News Feed

CNET Update never did beat Battletoads:

Facebook will unveil a new look for the News Feed on March 7, but we may have a hint at what's to come judging by the new profiles being tested in New Zealand (via The Next Web). And Google is also testing a new look with a navigation grid icon.

Other headlines from Friday's tech news roundup:

- Groupon's CEO was fired, but you should read his farewell memo to staff. He compares the challenges leading Groupon to getting through the difficult Battletoads video game without dying. We hear ya, Andrew. … Read more

Facebook to unveil new News Feed design next week

Get ready for some changes to your Facebook profile.

The social network is unveiling a new design for its News Feed on Thursday, according to an invite sent to journalists today.

The bare-bones invite tells journalists to "Come see a new look for News Feed," at Facebook's Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters next week.

Coincidentally, a new look for Timeline was spotted today in New Zealand, a country where Facebook typically tries out new features. The layout had a single-column for all the posts and updates on your Timeline, instead of two columns.

Feed me: eBay rolls out new homepage to all users

eBay just got a lot more personal for all of its users.

The e-commerce and payments giant today officially rolled out its Web site redesign, the biggest change in its history. eBay first introduced the new features, which it says creates a more personalized experience, in October. Since that time, eBay has allowed site visitors to opt in for the new design. Starting today, users no longer have the option to use the older design, but eBay says the new site is "more intuitive."

One feature, dubbed Feed, curates a user's favorite items on a personalized page … Read more

HTC One puts ultrapixels over megapixels

There can only be one CNET Update:

Tuesday's tech news roundup looks into the HTC One, the company's new flagship smartphone. To help HTC stand out again, the One has an aluminum body, a redesigned Sense interface, and an animated photo mode called Zoe. Most notable is the rear camera with 4 megapixels -- but HTC uses the term "ultrapixels" because the photos can pick up more light. Most top smartphones boast 8-megapixel cameras, but HTC says megapixels are a misunderstood metric for consumers. The HTC One will be available in March at AT&T, … Read more