Facebook launches redesign to attract more Twitterers

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The redesign, which will launch to all Facebook's 175 million users next week, will for the first time include "live" updates on the front page. Although Facebook allows users to update their status, pages are only updated every 10-15 minutes.

Many Twitter services, however, show users a constantly updating stream of "tweets" from friends.

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's founder, said: "As more information flows through Facebook, the need for people to easily discover the most recent and relevant content has grown." Facebook also announced a major overhaul to try to attract more celebrities to the site. Those signed up already for the new public profiles include US President Barack Obama, French president Nicolas Sarkozy, Oprah Winfrey and rock band U2.

"Bono, the New York Times, public figures and more have messages and want their voices heard," Mr Zuckerberg said.

The Queen is first royal to tweet

The Queen is to be the first member of the royal family to "twitter".

The Commonwealth Observance Day at Westminster Abbey next Monday will include a message from the Queen which will be posted on the online messaging site as it is delivered. The Queen recently relaunched her website, where she admitted owning an iPod. She is also believed to regularly use a BlackBerry to keep in touch with her family, and even has her own YouTube channel.

A spokesman for Westminster Abbey said: "The Queen is always looking to reach out to younger people and this is a great way to do that."