Facebook updates its iOS app to version 5.1 which brings with it a bunch of new features, such as easier chatting with friends, faster sharing of multiple photos, as well as the ability to give real gifts (US only).

Also, the Facebook for iOS app now gives users the ability to swipe left anywhere in the app to quickly see who's available online and send a message. Friends can also be added to the favorite bar for quicker and easier access. The camera feature added gives users the ability to share multiple photos.

Moreover, the latest app version 5.1 for iOS has included support for iOS filters. The app includes a feature which facilitates Gift giving for its users. The latest announcement regarding the integration of photo filters came days after Twitter announced its plans to include photo filters in its mobile app.

Twitter is planning to integrate similar features to compete with Instagram, a company owned by Facebook. The details regarding the photo filters have been avoided in the 'What"s New" section at the app store.

Facebook had previously launched Facebook Camera app earlier this year. Facebook Camera app is a dedicated app which allows capturing and filtering of photos. Users will have the choice to upload the captured photos directly to Facebook right from the app. The functionalities of the Facebook Camera app has now been integrated to the Facebook iOS app. Users will be able to add different filters to their photos using this feature. Some of the filters include Neon, Highlight, B+W and Boost.

Apart from the photo filters, Facebook has also added a multi-photo upload feature to the iOS app. These two new features will present a convenient option for those users who edit their pictures using Instagram and upload it to Facebook. Facebook acquired Instagram for $715 million earlier this year. The Gifts feature is another highlight feature in the new app.

This functionality was earlier available for Facebook Android app users and online users of Facebook. In the new version of the app Facebook has integrated a new feature which allows users to see which friends are available for chat just by swiping to left. Friends with whom a user chats the most are placed at the top of the list. There is also a favorite option in the new version of the app which allows users to add friends they message the most to the top of their Favorites. The app can be downloaded from here.

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