Facebook is rolling out a new feature that allows users to go back and edit their comments. It's a seemingly small and subtle update, but one that has eluded (and embarrassed) users for years.
Until now, if a user realised they had misspelt a word in a comment (or posted on the wrong comment thread, or just posted a Facebook faux pas) they would have to either delete it and start again, or post a series of additional comments explaining what they really meant to say.
Now, when moving the mouse over the comment, a pencil icon appears in the right-hand corner with the option to either edit or delete the comment. Users will, however, be able to view a full edit history.
Interestingly, Facebook has still not enabled editing for actual posts, such as status updates. It is also not clear if the new functionality will be expanded to Facebook's comment plugin across other Web sites.
'Like' for mobile
In other Facebook news, the social network will extend the iconic “Like” button to third-party mobile apps.
says: “People share content on the Web every day using the Like button. While this has been a key part of how people share, mobile apps have not been able to integrate the functionality. Now they can.”
The new like action is built into Facebook's Open Graph allowing for content to be cross-posted back to Facebook. Developers are also able to build their own like buttons for their apps in order to drive distribution on the social network.
“You can use the new like action to implement your own like button for a more integrated experience with your app on Web and mobile platforms, as Instagram and foursquare have done,” says Rothbart.
The new like actions are then integrated with the Facbook notification system; so for example, users will receive a notification that a friend “liked” an image they posted on Instagram.
Rothbart explains: “As with the Like button, like stories are presented and aggregated in News Feed, similar when someone clicks the Like button.”
Users concerned about 'over-sharing' need not worry. Facebook says unlike the standard Like button, users will have to give an app authorisation to publish stories of their “like” activity to Facebook.
Share