The Facebook Mentions app, which also happens to be the Twitter equivalent for verified users, remained an exclusive for iOS devices since it launched back in 2014. Fast forward to today and the largest social network has finally made it available on Android, letting public figures with verified profiles broadcast their live videos, interact with their followers and so forth.
The app can now be downloaded from the Google Play Store and is compatible with devices running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and above. However, rather than using the Android UI and Google's classy yet colorful Material Design, Facebook ported the app directly from its iOS counterpart.
The app features tabs for navigating, and it appears to be more simple and unobtrusive. Furthermore, in addition to its livestreaming capabilities, the app also has more advanced trends and the feature to see posts that mention the user. Users can also share photos directly to Instagram from the app itself.
Last year in September, the social network giant had updated its Mentions app to make it available for all public figures that come with verified profiles. A month later, it received another update that lets users livestream videos for connecting with their fans. Facebook may also be planning to bring livestreaming capabilities to its regular users in the future to compete with the likes of Periscope.
Mentions is designed by Facebook's Creative Labs. The app is designed to make it "easy for public figures to talk with their fans and each other on the go." However, Creative Labs, which also happened to be responsible for apps such as Slingshot, Rooms and Riff was shut down as its features were all well-integrated directly into the Facebook and Messenger apps.
It's also important to note that there is no way to apply to become a verified public figure at the moment. The status has to be granted by Facebook, and it will most likely depend on the number of followers the user has.
