I Link You

facebook's new look

After all the new ways for someone to stalk you on Facebook, the folks at Facebook decides to reorganize the layout of Facebook profiles to make it somewhat easier to find the information (both practical and impractical) that a user wants. There are now four categories listed as Profile, Friends, Networks, and Inbox. Under each category, there are various subcategories that relate to the heading. For example, you can browse through friends who have recently updated their profiles or who are online right now in the "Friends" category.

This change in layout has been coming. Facebook that was heralded for its simplicity and ease of browsing has fallen into the the depth of over-cluttered and confusion of too much information. As Facebook moves toward increasing its presence in the mobile space, it had to make some changes in order for viewers to have similar desktop browsing experiences on a smaller screen of a mobile phone.

I was thinking about this too. The screens are getting bigger, and the U.S. is finally getting 3G networks. I have been setting my eyes on the Nokia N95 for quite some time (not only because it's jam-packed with all the features that I want but it's designed quite nicely). I realized that I am spending most of my time in front of a screen (whether it'd be a computer screen or TV screen). Lately, I've been staring at my mobile phone screen a lot because I text people so much. Once I actually start myself in the real world, I am browsing through all of my options as I would like to take my online life with me wherever I go (excuse the cliche). I find myself carrying my laptop everywhere these days even when I don't really need it (i.e. my week long trek through Berlin, Prague, and Vienna). I just realized how much more convenient (physically and mentally) it could've been if I could just use my phone to access my email and word documents. If I could watch TV (like my cousins in Korea do) on my mobile phone, that could pass time on the subways very quickly. Sharp just released a high-contrast LCD for mobile devices. I'm half-tempted to go to Asia to buy my phone.

posted by Koh @ 3:29 PM