Reddit announces a major redesign of its mobile apps that include numerous improvements and features.
According to the company, the major upgrade is based on users' feedback across its communities. And here, Reddit prioritizes features and improvements based on what its users are wanting the most - from an improved suite of mobile mod tools to an all-new theater mode experience.
Its number one focus with this update, is to improve the app for moderators, giving them the tools they need to help their communities flourish directly from their phones.
Some of them include:
- Mod Mode: allowing moderators to approve, remove or flag contents within the communities they moderate.
- Mod Queue: the primary view that moderators use to action content on desktop, is arriving to its apps.
- Modmail: allowing moderators to access modmail directly from the moderator menu within the communities they moderate.
- Mod Management & Approved Submitters: ensuring all moderators have the tools they need to view and update their list of moderators quickly and conveniently.
In addition to moderator tools, this update also includes a number of others.
The next is Theater Mode. While Reddit is a place popular for comments and text-based discussions, it's also a place for for GIFs and meme. With Theater Mode, Reddit's apps for Android and iOS are allowing users to see the visual side of the platform.
Similar to the lightbox-style overlay that appears when tapping a post within Instagram’s Explore tab, with Theater Mode, posts that contains a photo, video, GIF or other media element, will be enlarged and placed in a horizontal scrollable carousel.
For iOS users, the upgrade introduces Live Comments. This enables users to have real-time experience while browsing subreddits. Then there is the Safari View Controller (iOS) which allows users to select Safari as their in-app browser, rather than using Reddit's native in-app browser.
With this update, each user’s Safari settings will be respected when using it as a browser within Reddit's app.
And also for iOS users, Reddit is launching a real-time messaging feature. With it, iOS users can test out Chat by opting in to the feature and having conversations with other redditors .
As for Android users, Reddit adds speed read button. Reddit introduced the button earlier for iOS users, and with the update, it's coming for Android users as well. This allows users to move quickly between the top-level comments in any given discussion on the site.
Other features introduced, include Post Flair Functionality which enables users to distinguish different types of contents. With the update, users can modify flairs on their phones without having to use their desktop PCs.
There is also the In-Feed Usernames dedicated to OPs. With this update, Reddit is making sure that the usernames behind the content are always visible by adding usernames to the app's home feed.
And for last, there is the Trophy Case. On Reddit, redditors earn trophies and others based on their accomplishments on the website. With the update, Reddit is bringing that feature to mobile, allowing first time Reddit users to experience the trophy case, is our way of preserving the legacy of oldest users. And the Cake Day is to show a cake icon for those having an anniversary.