Facebook Focuses on Simplicity, Again

If you ever tried using the privacy settings on Facebook, you'll remember how painful it was. There were six options allowing you to share with “Everyone”, “Friends of Friends and Networks”, “Friends and Networks”, “Friends of Friends”, “Friends”, or a custom group. How confusing is that?

With all the attention Google+ received for its simplified circles, Facebook decided to take it a step further and simplify even more. Now (the new privacy setting should be available to all of you by now) you have three options, you can share with "Everyone", "Friends" and custom. Short, simple and useful. I'm sure a lot of people will say that there are not enough options, but in reality Facebook has made the right choice.

From a user perspective, this change covers all my needs. What I care about is what I share with people that know me and those that don't. On top of that, they have allowed for the option of creating smaller specific lists so I can share with them even more personal opinions. What else do you need?

It makes me very happy to see that companies are now focusing on creating a simpler web experience for their users. With all the clutter, noise and options, simplicity can be something that makes you stand out and satisfy your customer needs.

Posted by Harry Mylonadis 

What Facebook Does That You Don't

About a month ago, Facebook introduced their new Video Calling feature. When you look at how it works and the features, it's obvious that they have focused on simplifying the experience of video calling.

Here are some points that show how they have made the experience simpler:

• There are no controls. Apart from the very basic full screen, minimise and close everything has been removed. This is to ensure that the interface is as simple as possible and there is no confusion on what you can do during the call.
• Video window is at the top. When you first start the call the video starts just beneath the camera, this helps you have some eye contact with the other person by looking at an area closer to the camera.
• Your picture is not in the way of the call. Your picture, which is usually placed in the call window, is so small that while it's there it doesn't become your centre of attention.
• The only active window is the video call window. While you are on a video call you cannot do anything else on facebook. This makes for a better interaction as it focuses your attention on the call and not at browsing pages and profiles.

Overall the lead designer, Rob Mason, has applied several simplicity principles to create an interface that is easy to use, innovative and creates a better experience. One thing that you will notice is that he had to sacrifice certain features to make the ones that are important easier to use. What we are left with is a service that works as it should and moves the focus to the call you are having and not to the bells and whistles.

Take Facebook's example and simplify. In order to be innovative you need to have the guts to sacrifice certain features in favour of the more essential ones.

Posted by Harry Mylonadis