Facebook just released a new update for owners of Android devices, which seems set to change the way how people use Facebook forever. The app has been fitted with a new Facebook Live button, which is positioned at the center of the Facebook mobile interface between the friend requests and notifications features.

For those who might be in the dark for some reason, Live is Facebook’s video streaming app. It was initially rolled out to brands and celebrities, who would use it to post live video updates to their fans. Over time, the feature has been rolled out to the entire Facebook community and now does much more if you have received the latest Facebook Android updates.

What’s new to Facebook Live?

The unique positioning of the Live button, which has somewhat moved the Messenger icon out of place, is seen as a strategic move by Facebook. With live streaming becoming a more popular form of posting for many people, it could entice more people to post live videos, more often, than traditionally typing out their statuses and/or posting images. It will also prompt users to consume even more video content, even as more is created.

Now, when you tap on the Live button, it not only allows you to start your own video stream, it also opens up to a library of endless videos that you can scroll through, watch and interact with. The visual attributes of the feature have also been updated to provide users with a unique experience. You will notice that the search bar and the menu at the top automatically become dark to provide a more pleasing, cinematic experience as you watch videos.

Other Cool Features

Facebook Live’s new button also comes with some cool features that are intended to make using it more interactive and immersive. For instance, its content list combines videos that are or have been trending in the last 24 hours, with those it thinks you might be interested in based on your Facebook user preferences. The auto-play feature, which has become a part of the Facebook environment, has been maintained in Live; they automatically stop playing once you scroll past them.

Additionally, you have the option to watch and interact with live streams or watch pre-recorded videos. With live streams, you are able to leave comments and reactions while watching the comments of other users pass by. You can do the same thing on recorded videos but it is unlikely that you will see comments flying by.

What this new Feature Means

Whether you’re a brand or personal user, the way you use Facebook Live will quite likely change if you have an Android that receives the update. To begin with, you will be more inclined to post video updates to your fans and friends. With videos proving to generate more engagement, this could help boost your level of interaction with the Facebook community and possibly grow your friend/follower list. For businesses, this could even lead to a boost in revenue.

In fact, Facebook has included several metrics for brands that use Live on their business pages; these include a Peak Concurrent Viewers and Viewers During Live Broadcast metric. With these metrics, you will be able to tell how many people were watching your live video stream, the highest number of viewers at a particular time and the average viewing time of your fans.

Facebook Video Fast Facts

• Video consumption on Facebook spiked to over 8 billion views per day at the end of 2015.
• Viewers spend three times the amount of time watching live videos compared to those that have been pre-recorded.
• Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg has come on record to say that most of the content on Facebook will be video by 2019 – 2020.
• Videos posted per Facebook user increased by 75% in 2015.
• When it comes on to audience, videos have a greater organic reach of 135% over photo posts.

The new Facebook Live button is hard to miss based on its placing. Once you receive the update, it’s likely that your experience on the platform will never be the same.