Missed something recently? Catch up with our Febuary social media round up, exploring the news from the social landscape. Instagram surprises its community with the publication of a hard copy handbook for brands, while Twitter is testing a new Facebook lookalike redesign for users’ profiles. Facebook introduces a news reading app called Paper, as well as revealing admins’ names under posts and comments shared on business pages. Klout is trying to become a genuinely useful tool, introducing content curation and scheduling tools, while Pinterest brings animated GIFs to mobile and Place Pins to iPad.

All of this and more is waiting to be explored… see what we have in store for you below.

Facebook a introduces new app: Paper

This month, Facebook introduced a new iPhone app called Paper. The app’s purpose is to become a news reader similar to other apps like Flipboard or Feedly. Facebook’s Paper curates news from other publishers based on the user’s interests, which are arranged into a grid pattern. At the same time, the app functions as a social media platform allowing users to message each other, receive notifications, like, comment and share discovered stories. If you would like to get hold of this news-reading app you can access it from the iTunes store.

Twitter is still testing profile redesigns

Twitter is still making tweaks and is adding some changes to its profile redesign. So far, the new layout has been tested among a small group of Twitter users, like editor Matt Petronzio who in the middle of February spotted a new update changing the appearance of his Twitter profile page. The new look shares a lot of similarities with Facebook and Google+. It places emphasis on larger photos, and bigger, more spaced out fonts, as well as introducing a new layout of content. For now it is unclear whether the new design will be launched this year or later, but it is worth keeping an eye out for further developments.

Facebook shows names of admins besides posts

Facebook’s new feature will add Page admins’ full names under each post and comment. Every time a new post is being scheduled or published, admins will be able to view the names of those individuals. This new addition will be helpful in moderating and monitoring comments, creating stronger posting policies.

Klout becomes useful

Until now, Klout was known as a website and mobile app which helps users rank their social media influence via ‘Klout Score’. This has recently changed with the introduction of Klout’s content curation and scheduling tools. Now Klout will help you to discover content and match it to your friends, followers, and fans. You can use tags to stream content and quickly view the articles that matter to your audience. By clicking ‘Share’ you can update your Twitter and Facebook feeds immediately with these findings or schedule them for later. The changes also provide additional data, like the best time of day to share your posts within your network.

Pinterest add GIFs on mobile and Place Pins to iPad

Over on Pinterest, GIFs are now playable on mobile devices, thanks to a new update. Android and iPhone users are now able to view animated GIFs, which will bring the sharing and exploring experience to a whole new level. Pinterest also updated its iPad app to make interactions with Place Pins possible. This addition will allow Pinterest’s users to map the locations of their favourite sights, shops, and restaurants from their iPad device.

Instagram brings inspiration with a Handbook for Brands

Instagram has published a physical book to inspire and advise brands and businesses on how to use this network. The purpose of the book is to educate marketers not familiar with Instagram through inspirational instructions, best practices, and creative tips. The “Instagram Handbook for Brands” showcases 11 companies such as @disneyland, @patagonia, and @chobani, which showed excellence in using this visual network. The book also contains Instagram’s brand values, the 10 most popular hashtags, and examples of collaborative creativity. Sadly the book isn’t broadly available but you can read more about it as well as access Instagram’s advice on their blog in Tools and Tips to Help Marketers Inspire and Engage on Instagram.

Facebook changes its billing schedule

Facebook is trying to make the processes behind its advertising offering much easier to use and understand by adding and working on some new changes. The new billing threshold update will allow advertisers to pay monthly, instead of daily. There is a push to simplify the whole advertising procedure, especially for first-time users new to Facebook advertising.

Google Hangouts now possible by phone

Google Hangouts is now available on the move thanks to the UberConference app that allows users to join Google hangouts via mobile phone. Once you install the app in Hangouts, you will be able to join conference calls via your phone with the help of a dedicated number, and even record your calls. While Google restricts the video chats to just 10 participants, UberConference extends this number to 100 people by phone (for users on paid plans).

Bing iPhone app receives an update

iPhone users looking for stories may find the updated version of Bing’s iPhone app useful in their search. The update brings in search management and introduces new features. Now iPhone users – by shaking their phone or using voice search – are able to quickly find trending topics..

Yelp’s photo friendly redesign

Yelp, the business review website, recently underwent a redesign, which makes business pages look and feel more photo-friendly. The small thumbnail image was replaced with six large photos, and a new column width and font size optimised the copy for readability.

By Kasia Piekut