Facebook's F8 developer conference: Everything you need to know

As expected, Facebook unveiled a slew of new features and updates during its big F8 developer conference, 2017. From an all-new AR developer platform to group chatbots to a new virtual reality experience for its main platform itself, here is a recap of everything the social networking giant announced at F8.

Augmented Reality platform

In a further push for Augmented Reality, Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the closed beta of a new platform centered around AR called the camera effects platform. The new platform is aimed at giving developers a convenient podium to build and create effects and masks around the Facebook camera by allowing them to use precise location, object recognition and depth detection.

“We’re making the camera the first augmented reality platform,” he proclaimed on stage at the company’s F8 developer conference, explaining that the platform is launching today in closed beta with the basic effects you’re used to: face makes, style transfers, and effects

Frame studio

The social networking giant also unveiled Frame Studio that will let you upload simple, static overlaid image filters which will appear in Facebook Camera to your friends or a Page’s fans. Notably, you don't need to have coding knowledge to use Frame Studio, you just upload an image and your name will appear on the Frame’s preview and News Feed posts to give you credit.

Messenger group bots and bot discovery tab

Facebook’s new Chat Extensions lets you use Messenger bots in group chats now. Also, there is a new Discovery tab on Messenger, where people can see their recently used bots, browse bot categories, see trending experiences or search for specific bots. Users will be able to check out a preview screen about what a bot does before starting a conversation with one.

Revamped Messenger QR codes

Facebook's revamped Messenger QR codes (which are still not popular) could be scanned at concerts, games events or other events and, after you’ve scanned them, a Messenger bot will pop up to provide you with more information.

Games Tab

Messenger surely has become strategically very important for Facebook. Besides bots and QR codes, Messenger is also getting a Game tab. This tab will now also get access to Game bots and Rich Gameplay. For more than a year, the company has slowly been introducing games that you can play natively within the chat app and the company claims that more than 1.5 billion games were played in the past 90 days.

Workplace Bots

Besides group bots for Messenger, Facebook has also launched chatbots for its Slack competitor. The company also announced that it’s now supporting file-sharing, eDiscovery, and compliance, and expanding its live video capabilities to include professional cameras.

Developers interested in bringing bots to the enterprise also have a good news, as Facebook has opened the doors for a select group of providers to integrate their bots into Workplace. These bots will be available within groups as well as Workplace chat. Users can @mention a bot to initiate a task or workflow, similar to Slack. As you might expect, when tasked with something, the bot will take action and reply back with relevant information. Bots can also be used to deliver important notifications.

Developer Circles

Developer Circles is a group program that brings together developers in local areas to not only build together but also connect and learn from one another. Each chapter will have a forum on which members can share knowledge and ideas while also discussing the latest updates from Facebook and the rest of the industry.

AI powered analytics

The social network also announced updates for Facebook Analytics as well as Facebook Login and Account Kit during the F8 keynote address. While Analytics is getting greater customizability and a machine learning boost, Login and Account Kit are benefiting from additional transparency and accessibility.

For more updates, keep checking this space.