Google has Google Now. Apple has Siri. Microsoft has Cortana. A couple of months back, many have thought that Facebook will also be having its own version of the virtual concierge in M, which it has tested. M works with Facebook's stand-alone app, Messenger and, like other concierge features, is able to do some chores and send requests. But on Monday, Facebook has introduced something that could be closer to a traditional assistant.
On Oct. 26, the company has launched a feature it calls 'personalized notifications.' A Tech Crunch report said that the new feature is able to offer what Facebook does best: mapping out the user's social circle and activities. The new notifications feature works with the user's Facebook contacts, of course. Among its features are reminding the user of upcoming birthdays of friends, events joined in and milestones in friends' lives. At least those recorded on Facebook.
"Every day, people use their notifications to keep up-to-date with their friends and family. We've heard feedback that people wanted to add important information that they can easily see, all in one place." Facebook said in a post. The personalized notifications can be seen on the notifications tab, along with other notifications.
Apart from dates and life events, the personalized notifications also let the user know what is going on near where he is. That is, if Facebook is allowed to track his location. By enabling the Location History on Facebook app, the user will also be able to get notifications on nearby restaurants, which include reviews and links to Facebook Pages. Also, he can get notified on what movies are playing in theaters in the area where he lives.
The user can also get updated on the weather condition and local events via the personalized notifications. Tech Crunch has dubbed the new feature 'Facebook Here.' comparing it to Google Now. It is pretty handy for reminding the user of what is on with his Facebook social life and his immediate community. Facebook said the feature will be rolling out to Facebook for iOS and Android soon.
