Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has updated its Paper app for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. The update adjusts the display to conform to the larger screened devices. Apart from the display, other issues with features such as keyboard, video playback and some stability issues, which caused the app to crash, have been rectified through the new update.
The app, which was first launched this January, was lauded for its fluid design and faster user interface. The latest version of the app Paper 1.2.4 can be downloaded for free from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iTunes store.
Quality user experience
The Paper app was created with the aim of integrating news with quality user experience. It presented the user’s Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) feed in a layout similar to news reading apps such as Flipboard. At the time of its launch, the app was expected to eat up into the space of the regular Facebook app due to its stylish interface and WYSIWYG editor. Though it did not offer all the features of the original app, it supported the main features that were used by most people.
The Paper app revolutionized the concept of horizontal scrolling, as opposed to the common vertical strolling, and made optimal use of the swipe feature by doing away with buttons. Users controlled the app through touch gestures.
Facebook’s proprietary libraries available on GitHub
In spite of its superior design and extensive marketing, the Paper app never really stole the show and its usage continued to decline since launch. Though the app failed to garner more users, it did catch the eye of developers who appreciated it for its excellent design and interface.
Noticing the app’s popularity with developers, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) released some of its proprietary libraries, which went into the development of Paper app, into the open source domain. The Pop animation engine, Shimmer and AsyncDisplayKit are some of the libraries now available on GitHub.
