Facebook news-reading software

On Jan. 30, Facebook announced its latest standalone app, Paper. Launching exclusively on iOS on Feb. 3 and for the US market only, the app provides an optimized version of your news feed that allows you to quickly scroll through posts and curated news stories with larger-quality images and text. You can customize what will show up in your feed using a feature called Sections, which will allow you to choose from a number of genres of stories such as headlines, creators and flavors.
If the app works as presented, it is possible you can expect it to become a replacement for the current Facebook mobile app. Utilizing a news feed that owes a lot to Flipboard and the ability to post images, stories and statuses directly to your page, the app looks like an idealized version of what your current feed is supposed to be currently providing.
Paper is controlled via gestures, so there is a bit of a learning curve, however the app has a HUD that will pop up to teach you when you start out. Your feed is shown via a series of story cards, demonstrated in the video below. You can either scroll through your cards one by one or in a feed. When you select a card, the story takes over your whole screen. You’ll see your friend’s new photo albums in an optimized view alongside curated news stories targeted at your interests.

• Bilal Hallab (@bilalhallab) is General Manager & Head Social Business Strategist of The Social Clinic, a social business consultancy based in Jeddah.