Facebook for iOS update brings status icons, enhanced sharing

Facebook updated its iOS app on Tuesday with a number of features that bolster communication between friends, allow users to creatively express themselves and improve sharing settings. 

Version 6.2 of Facebook for iOS notably includes the ability to add action and emotion-based icons -otherwise known as emoticons- to status updates. This feature enables friends to express how they are feeling, as well as better describe what they are reading, watching, etc. 

Users can attach the icons based on emotion, content and location. The Feeling category, for instance, offers an icon for “— Feeling happy". Facebook's new icons are currently available only in English.

Along with icons in status updates, Facebook has implemented easier ways to change "who can see what" in regards to a user's sharing settings. This type of functionality further improves Facebook's privacy and security measures. Lastly, Facebook users on iOS can now start a new conversation with photos they have received in messages. 

Read: Facebook sends invites to 20 June event, teases new product and "big idea"

Today's update comes ahead of Facebook's mysterious 20 June event, where the company will allegedly unveil a Vine-like video service. There have been rumours of such a service for some time, with suggestions of 5 to 10-second videos and filters akin to Instagram.