Facebook is lazy when it comes to release notes for software updates.

[Beeplance]

As a developer, I actually like writing release notes. Release notes boost my confidence since I get to discuss all the new features I've been proud to accomplish.

So why doesn't Facebook wish to tell us about all the potentially amazing changes they've worked hard on? By writing no release notes, it dissuades me as a user to update since they're hiding the new features on us. We should get excited about these features instead of having to hunt them down (if there even are any).

This. I'm glad I'm not the only one who has been kind of frustrated with Facebook not posting changelogs for their app updates (both the actual app and the messenger app). I want to know what's changed in a new release, and often I don't see a need to update the app when it just reads "Bug fixes and improvements", since the current version is working perfectly for me.

There needs to be a change for this. I remember there used to be time when FB actually bothered to write release notes for their updates, but that was a long time ago.

 

[C DM]

That may well be the case. Only downside is, it gives you an impression that you had been using a buggy app all along. By not providing detailed release notes, the developer is sort of ignoring tech oriented users who probably are the ones who care to read the release notes.
This seems to be quite prevalent on the app store and if you read most of the reviewers complain that it's just to wipe poor reviews/ratings. These reviews are supposed to be a feedback to the developers for improving their apps, but they seem to be content with releasing .x version and hoping that reviewer will give up posting poor ratings.
It would be better if they inform users that they are doing bucket, A/B testing and everyone may not see all the new features all at once.

Every app evolves and has some issues of some sort somewhere. I don't think it gives any particular impression. Users can have their suspicions and come up with all kinds of theories, it doesn't necessarily mean that reality fits in with any of those or in the way that people think it does. Facebook does things the way it does them and given how many users they have they more than likely don't really care about the reviews they get or have time to really see most if really any of them even.

I would certainly like to see specific release notes for every release of course, and was merely providing some realistic ideas as to why they might not really be provided (not to excuse that practice or say that it's all good).

 

[C DM]

Updates versions are relatively subjective to the author however there are guidelines for iOS devs. Positive integers separated by two periods. First number is major update, followed by minor update, followed by maintenance update.

That is a common approach, but not really a requirement or something that breaks down the system or something else if not followed. I agree it makes things neater and makes them fit into one unified "view" of the ecosystem, but ultimately an update is an update and the number mainly matters as far as identifying something no matter if it's a whole number or separated by different parts or anything like that.

 

[Eckscaliber]

They aren't being lazy. They are being secretive.

 

[Sleaka J]

Why don't you guys just use safari version?

I do. Deleted the Facebook app a while ago and haven't regretted it.

 

[pat500000]

I do. Deleted the Facebook app a while ago and haven't regretted it.

Doesn't it make a huge difference?

 

[MEJHarrison]

Well, to be fair, there are various apps that take a similar approach, especially those that are on a more or less regular schedule of releases every few weeks. Pinterest is one example, Nextdoor is another, and I'm sure there are more. They likely represent a minority by far, but Facebook aren't the only ones that are like that. What's even more prevalent though is how many apps often don't put anything more than just generic "Performance and stability improvements", or "Bug fixes", or something else similar--big apps like Twitter and Instagram (which is technically owned by Facebook now) and various other ones do that fairly often. So, while it seems to say something more than Facebook just actually not saying anything, it still doesn't actually say anything and in practice is basically equivalent to what Facebook is doing. That type of thing has been present for quite a few apps for quite a while now (perhaps not for every update of those apps, but more often than not). Again, none of this is to excuse anything or anyone, or to say something is better or worse one way or another, but to give it a bit more context from what I've observed and concluded.

That's true. I updated last night and saw lots of "bug fixes". But what sets them apart is that when they have something other than "bug fixes", they let you know! I can't think of any apps I have that only list "bug fixes" on a routine basis.

Anyway, I went to the App Store just now and rated last night's Facebook update with my usual rating.

 

[Salvor Hardin]

They aren't being lazy. They are being secretive.

They are being secretive because they think it avoid a non-stop barrage of one star reviews like when they removed messenger from the main FB app, at this point most social media apps are making more annoying changes than actual useful ones so it comes to little surprise that they don't want to announce these changes.

 

[yanki01]

started using Facebook through safari and enjoy it a little better. just don't like the refreshing when hit the back button.

I'm able to see my timeline in the order they were posted which still bugs the hell out of me. that part of Facebook is annoying as heck. I don't want to see crap from 3 days ago or yesterday morning.

I only keep it for my close friends and distant family who love posting every 5 minutes. for news and sports I use Twitter which is much better in delivering news instant.

 

[C DM]

They are being secretive because they think it avoid a non-stop barrage of one star reviews like when they removed messenger from the main FB app, at this point most social media apps are making more annoying changes than actual useful ones so it comes to little surprise that they don't want to announce these changes.

Given that their usage or popularity isn't really based on or related much to reviews, they more then likely couldn't care less about bad reviews or how many of them there might be.

 

[sanke1]

I have uninstalled tht Life Invader app.

 

[charlie wax]

I'm also considering deleting my Facebook profile because it has become annoying as hell. On top of that you can't log out of the Messenger app which is ridiculous. And both of these apps are using almost 800MB of memory on my phone.

 

[C DM]

I'm also considering deleting my Facebook profile because it has become annoying as hell. On top of that you can't log out of the Messenger app which is ridiculous. And both of these apps are using almost 800MB of memory on my phone.

The cache can add up when it comes to apps and iOS will clean things up if it needs the space, but you can do it as well by deleting and reinstalling the app.

As for signing out of messenger, that's doable as well: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/new-facebook-messenger-app-how-to-log-out.1671391/

 

[dogslobber]

When it comes to release notes, there are probably a few things in play there, one is that sometimes it takes time and effort to gather up everything that was actually done in a sprint and then have it go through legal/PR for approval to be posted up, which would delay the release until all that is done, rather having it out the door right when the sprint is done. Not really an excuse, but a potential explanation.

If a software methodology can't track software changes that allow easy auditing then it's junk. Release Notes for any product should be easily extrapolated from code changes for bug fix tracking.

 

[teknikal90]

is the facebook app still a background process hog?
deleted like 2 months ago

 

[dogslobber]

I'm also considering deleting my Facebook profile because it has become annoying as hell. On top of that you can't log out of the Messenger app which is ridiculous. And both of these apps are using almost 800MB of memory on my phone.

Messenger tracks your location while it's loaded. Uninstall it from your phone if you value your privacy.

 

[C DM]

If a software methodology can't track software changes that allow easy auditing then it's junk. Release Notes for any product should be easily extrapolated from code changes for bug fix tracking.

Not necessarily when it comes to public consumption of those changes.

Messenger tracks your location while it's loaded. Uninstall it from your phone if you value your privacy.

Why not simply not grant it location privileges (or remove the privilege if it was granted at some point before). Options exist for those types of things.

 

[dogslobber]

Not necessarily when it comes to public consumption of those changes.

I've no idea what this means.

Why not simply not grant it location privileges (or remove the privilege if it was granted at some point before). Options exist for those types of things.

I'd only use Facebook via a mobile browser if I were so inclined. There's no way I would ever install software from such a deceitful and creepy company as this.

 

[C DM]

I've no idea what this means.



I'd only use Facebook via a mobile browser if I were so inclined. There's no way I would ever install software from such a deceitful and creepy company as this.

Everyone is certainly free to make that choice for themselves.

 

[dogslobber]

Everyone is certainly free to make that choice for themselves.

Yep, and it would help users make more informed decisions based around Facebook if FB Inc. weren't so secretive with their software indiscretions.

 

[C DM]

Yep, and it would help users make more informed decisions based around Facebook if FB Inc. weren't so secretive with their software indiscretions.

I think people are in agreement when it comes to that as far as it all relates to having release notes and all that.

 

[dogslobber]

I think people are in agreement when it comes to that as far as it all relates to having release notes and all that.

Some were inferring the lack of detail in release notes is due to FB Inc.'s software development practices. I point out that if that's true then their SW development techniques suck.

 

[pat500000]

I'm also considering deleting my Facebook profile because it has become annoying as hell. On top of that you can't log out of the Messenger app which is ridiculous. And both of these apps are using almost 800MB of memory on my phone.

I think you should delete. If you need Facebook...use safari version..and and add to home screen. and just have messenger app.

 

[sanke1]

I've no idea what this means.



I'd only use Facebook via a mobile browser if I were so inclined. There's no way I would ever install software from such a deceitful and creepy company as this.

I am sure you are using WhatsApp

 

[Manatlt]

Yep, and it would help users make more informed decisions based around Facebook if FB Inc. weren't so secretive with their software indiscretions.

You are still tracked if you're using WhatsApp. If so, what's the point.