Facebook's live-streaming feature isn't just for famous people anymore

 By 
Karissa Bell
 on 
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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Live streaming on Facebook is no longer just for famous people.

The social network is beginning to expand live streaming to more people, the company announced Thursday. Facebook previously added live streaming to its Mentions app, which is limited to people with verified accounts.

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The feature, called "Live," will begin to roll out to a "small percentage of people in the U.S." who have iPhones. It's not clear if, or when, Facebook plans to make it available more broadly, though the company often tests new features among small groups of users before releasing them to its entire user base.

For those who have the live-streaming feature available, it will appear as a "Live Video" option in their status update. As with Periscope and Meerkat, you can preface each video with a description of what you will be streaming. Once live, broadcasters will be able to see who is watching and viewers are able to comment on streams in real time. When the broadcast has ended, videos are saved to your Timeline like any other video post.

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

To complement the new live-video feature, Facebook is also testing a new look for the status update menu that will appear at the top of some users' News Feeds. Tapping the "What's on your mind?" prompt will bring up a drop-down menu of the types of content you can share, including live video, if you have the feature.

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Additionally, Facebook is also adding a new collage tool that groups "photos and videos that were taken together into a scrolling, moving collage" when previewing images from your Camera Roll. Now, instead of seeing your photos in reverse chronological order, when you open the Photo menu, you'll see collages of your images "based on when and where you took them," Facebook says.

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Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Collages are available now to iPhone users and will roll out to Android "early next year."

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BONUS: Facebook News Feed 101: How it works and what to expect next

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