Skip to main content

Upcoming Facebook redesign to feature circular profile shots, fewer blue bars

facebook, facebook local news
Alexander Kirch / 123RF
Say goodbye to Facebook’s characteristic blue toolbar and hello to circular profile shots — Facebook will be redesigning the news feed over the next few weeks, the company announced on Tuesday. The Facebook redesign comes as the company expands the Facebook Camera capabilities to include GIFs, live-streaming, and the option for crafting those colorful status updates.

The new design brings a feature Facebook began testing in the spring — comments that look like chat bubbles. With the update, comments on posts will look more like Messenger chats than Facebook’s usual news feed, with gray speech bubbles around the comments. Options for liking or responding via emoji, of course, remain intact.

In a number of places, that characteristic blue bar disappears to eek out every last millimeter of screen space. When viewing a post to reply or clicking a link, the blue bar is gone, with just an arrow next to the user’s profile picture directing users back to the news feed. Do not get too nostalgic though — that blue bar remains intact while scrolling through the news feed, housing the search bar and chat shortcuts.

Profile pictures will also adapt a circular shape inside the news feed, similar to how they look inside Messenger. Facebook says the refresh also brings more contrast for better legibility, larger link previews, and larger icons, making it easier to tap those like, comment, and share options.

The changes give Facebook’s news feed more in common with the platform’s Messenger app. Facebook says the changes are designed to make the news feed more conversational as well as easier to navigate.

The announcement for the upcoming design changes hit the same time the platform launched several new features to Facebook Camera. After testing the ability to go live and record GIFs directly from Facebook Camera earlier this summer, the feature is now rolling out to all users. Recording live video and GIFs inside Facebook Camera allows users to take advantage of the platform’s augmented reality facial filters and special effects while live. The option to add to Stories directly from Facebook Camera is also part of the update.

The update also brings those colorful status updates into Facebook Camera — because why post a plain text update when you can post one with multi-colored backgrounds and giant text? The feature turns text-based posts into images, and using that option inside Facebook Camera allows users to also post the update to their Stories.

While the Facebook Camera update began rolling out Tuesday, the design refresh will happen over the next few weeks, Facebook said.

Editors' Recommendations

Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
A new Google Pixel Tablet is coming, but it’s not what you think
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

It's been almost a year since the Google Pixel Tablet went up for preorder, leading many Android tablet fans to wonder when the inevitable Pixel Tablet 2 will arrive. A new rumor suggests that Google could release a new Pixel Tablet as early as next month, but it's probably not what you were expecting or hoping for.

According to @MysteryLupin on X (formerly Twitter), Google is planning to "relaunch" the Pixel Tablet without the charging/speaker dock included in the box. As you'll likely recall, the speaker dock is the Pixel Tablet's standout feature. You can use the Pixel Tablet on its own as a traditional Android tablet when you want, and when you're done, you throw it on the dock to transform it into a smart display. The idea of Google selling the Pixel Tablet without its claim to fame is an interesting one.

Read more
Anker sale: up to 40% off portable chargers, cable, and more
The iPhone 15 Pro Max being charged by the Anker MagGo Power Bank.

If you've been looking to pick up a new charging cable, charger, or all-in-one charging station for your Android phone or iPhone, then you'll be happy to know that Anker is having a rather large Earth-Day sale that you can take advantage of. There are a ton of discounts that you can take advantage of, too, with up to 40% off in some cases. I that wasn't enough, you can even snag yourself some free gifts, for example, one of the best accessories for a Galaxy S24 is the Anker Nano Power Bank if you spend more than $90,  or even an Anker 621 Magnetic Battery if you spend over $120. Either way, there are a lot of options, and while we've shared some of our favorite deals below, it's also worth taking a look at everything Anker has to offer by pressing the button below.

What you should buy during Anker's Sale
One of the most basic things you may need for any device is a charging cable, and Anker has a couple of great options for that. If you're on an older iPhone with a lightning cable, you can grab Anker's Anker 641 USB-C to Lightning Cable that's 6 feet long using the coupon WSPEV2KENJP2. On the other hand, if you need a USB-C to connect and charge your devices, you can grab the 6-foot Anker 543 USB-C to USB-C Cable using the code WSPEV2EHDR0C.

Read more
I keep forgetting about the Apple Watch Series 9’s coolest feature
Apps on the Apple Watch Series 9's screen.

I’m just going to come out and say it: I love the Apple Watch Series 9. A couple of weeks ago, I returned to wearing it every day after an extended period of not doing so. And you know what? I was surprised by how much I’d missed it.

But one thing has bothered me this time around: There's a feature I haven't been using. Not because it’s bad, but because I tend to forget it's there.
Effortless to own and wear

Read more