Facebook Messages will get a dual-pane overhaul

SOCIAL NETWORK Facebook has announced that its Messages feature will be upgraded to feature a dual page layout.

Similar to an email client such as Microsoft Outlook, there will be a list of most recent messages on the left and a reading pane on the right.

The Messages page was previously arranged in a single-column view where skipping between different conversations required going back to the previous message overview page. The revamp means that users will now be able to navigate to and from different messages from different users much more quickly.

As well as an overhaul in the Messages' page design, the update will also bring enhancements for message search so that users can explore messages history for names or keywords. Keyboard shortcuts will also be enabled so that users can quickly "compose" and "reply" within the interface much more easily than before.

In what seems to be a bid to make its messaging feature easier to use, the social network said in a statement that the changes will also make the service more fun and "bring conversations to life", as multiple photos and emoticons can also now be added to private conversations.

The Messages makeover will be rolled out across selected users from today, although Facebook said that it will take a few weeks before the rest of us get to see the update. µ