Facebook is set to unveil a real-time stream of what its users are watching and listening to online with a new ‘ticker’ tool, according to a new report.
The Guardian reports that the social network will introduce the new “ticker” stream alongside partnerships with major media companies.
The latest changes will be part of a “read, watch and listen” theme during F8, the Facebook developer conference that launches Thursday in San Francisco.
The announcements form part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of building a “social web” where users interact around all websites, online films and music.
It builds on the introduction of the several tools for sites at last year’s f8, which Facebook claims has driven a fourfold increase in traffic from the social network to media sites.
Facebook’s 750 million users will be able to automatically share activity such as viewing, listening and reading in the live “ticker” stream, once they have opted in to the feature.
The new stream will be separate from the existing Facebook news feed, although popular items – such as the most frequently played songs among friends – will appear in the column.
The Guardian also reported that video sites and even some newspapers would join Facebook on its platform. The ticker would represent a separate social stream, which users would have to opt in to. Once approved, the stream would allow users to share the songs they’re listening to, and other highlights.
Facebook may also allow developers and brands to change the verbage, of its “Like” social-sharing solution, the paper said.
Facebook has tried to tie itself to more closely to movies, however, with early forays into renting The Dark Knight, as well as $3 rentals from Miramax. FilmOn has also streamed movies via Facebook.
Reports have also surfaced that Facebook may launch a “Project Spartan” HTML5 app store this week.