Facebook Lets iOS Users Create Posts When Offline; Tests Google Now-Style Cards

Facebook on Wednesday started rolling out an updated app (v10.0) for iOS users with two new features and a better performing News Feed. The social networking giant is also testing Google Now-style cards for its iOS app.

The updated version 10.0 app is currently available to download via the App Store. The Facebook iOS app now lets users create posts even when their phone's Internet connection is weak or offline (or in airplane mode), and will upload the posts later when the device is connected to Internet again.

Now users can also preview a Facebook post from the updated iOS app and remove any unwanted suggested links they have been "reading, watching or listening to" before uploading the final post.

Additionally the company has updated the app to improve loading time of News Feed, especially on older iOS devices.

Facebook has also begun testing Google Now style cards layout for its iOS app. Speaking to Verge, a Facebook spokesperson described the cards, saying, "These cards can help you discover information about where you are or what to do next, or inspire conversations with your friends around you."

The Facebook cards would provide relevant information when a user checks-in or attaches a song, TV show, movie, or friend to a status update. For example if a user checks in at a cafe, then Facebook might show friends who have also been there or photos of you and the friends checked-in there earlier, et cetera.

The new Facebook cards have different colours from Facebook's standard blue. Location-based cards are themed red, photos are themed yellow, and birthdays are themed blue.