Facebook announced several new developments at their F8 conference including opening their Live Video API to developers, expanding the Messenger API to allow for custom bots, launching Account Kit for login without passwords, and providing a new notification platform. The Live Video API will allow live streaming integration, Messenger bots can be used for customized services like news and shopping, Account Kit increased app registrations by 33% in one music app, and the new notification tools will help engage and direct users both inside and outside of apps.

1. FIRST LOOK
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Facebook F8 Briefing
April 12, 2016
Facebook announced several new things today at their F8 conference including opening up its Live Video API to
developers; adding new functionality to the Facebook Messenger API; launching Account Kit, a tool that allows users
to login to apps without passwords; and providing developers with a powerful new notification platform. For further
information visit: https://www.facebook.com/business/news/f8-announcements-for-businesses
LIVE VIDEO API
Live video has 10x more engagement than other media. Video is also predicted to account for 70% of all mobile traffic
by 2021. Facebook’s Live Video API will be made publicly available, allowing developers to integrate live streaming
into third-party apps and devices. Integrating Facebook Live will open up the platform to broadcasters and other
professional content producers.
POV: The quality of live video will greatly increase with new ways to broadcast. This means no more hacking iPhones
or Android devices into a production workflow. With increased engagement and authenticity, brands should consider
Facebook live video as part of their content strategy.
MESSENGER API
Messenger has reached massive scale, being used by more than 900M people around the world per month.
Messenger provides a means of instant, persistent communication that is both contextual, and provides a canonical
record. Facebook will expand functionality to Messenger as a platform for developers by allowing the creation of
custom bots in Messenger allowing users to switch between live and automated conversation. Examples included
users getting customized news, enhanced shopping experiences, and weather.
POV: Messenger bots will be a great way for brands to engage with users. It should increase customer service
satisfaction if implemented properly. These engagements will definitely create buzz and repeat interactions.
ACCOUNT KIT
Account Kit is an additional way to help users login to apps using only their number.
Facebook showed a music app that saw a 33% increase in daily registrations after adding
Account Kit.
POV: Apps already using Facebook should consider the inclusion of Account Kit logins.
Additionally, brands with SMS interaction can match their existing phone numbers to
messenger users. Messenger is hands down a richer experience than SMS.
PUSH AND IN-APP NOTIFICATIONS
Customizable push and in-app notifications will let developers run push campaigns to pull
people back into their apps, and help them navigate to new content or options while
they’re already inside. In addition to regular push notifications that deep link to a specific
place in an app, in-app notifications give developers the option to create and customize
richer push experiences with photos and animated GIFs. Facebook has open-sourced in-
app notifications to make them fully customizable and extensible. Most importantly, these
campaigns can be based on audience insights from data collected by the app.
POV: With recent shifts in the push ecosystem, Facebook is worth a look as a push
solution. Deeper technical dives and individual customer needs will drive whether
Facebook is the right solution.