Facebook announced a redesign targeting its newsfeed on Thursday and within minutes, angry mobs we reported to be en route to Menlo Park with the intention of lynching Mark Zuckerberg.
Okay, not really, but the redesign is real.
It promises "vibrant new visuals" and the ability to "get Facebook just how you want it." It's unclear how this will affect users who want Facebook the way they currently have it.
Facebook said it would begin rolling out the changes immediately, but for those of you who can't wait, you can sign up for a waiting list here.
"Today we're announcing a new version of Facebook to reduce clutter and focus more on stories from the people you care about," the company said in a press release. "You see all the stories you saw in your News Feed before, but with a fresh new look.
"We've completely rebuilt each story to be much more vibrant and colorful and highlight the content that your friends are sharing. Photos, news articles, maps and events all look brighter and more beautiful."
Although Facebook redesigns are rarely greeted with any measure of warmth, this one seems poised to buck that trend. GigaOM - particularly known for its vitriol toward the social network - has ranked the overall redesign an A-.
The blog applauds the changes made to the way photos appear in the newsfeed. Then, in its trademark, condescending reductionism, GigaOM says the new look is wise for a website that amounts to "a giant photo service."
The changes don't stop there. Facebook also promises the new version will see a unified experience between mobile, tablet and web.
Also, the news ticker is dead.
In its stead will be a customizable new window for news feeds. At the moment, it's unknown whether you'll be able to use it in real time to monitor the cat photos your friends can't stop liking.
