We’ve recently made some updates to our Open Canvas feature. As most of you know, one of the primary benefits of using Open Canvas functionality in your apps is that it gives you immediate access to basic user info such as the user’s public photos and display name. Ideally, this means users can immediately start using basic functionality of your app without having to go through the add app process. For example, they can "try" your app from the gallery when they click the "try it" link. When a user does add your app you’ll automatically get access to their friends list. From that point, you can then request specific permissions on an as needed basis. This allows you to design Apps with a low bar of entry that can quickly engage the user and can incrementally request permission for deeper functionality.

We’ve updated the app settings page to better reflect the new Open Canvas model through three sections: "Apps I’ve Added", "Apps I’ve Blocked", and "Apps I Haven’t Added".

The New Apps Settings Page

The "Apps I’ve Added" section provides a cleaner, friendlier way for users to manage their existing apps. The new layout highlights the apps they have and uses less vertical space then the current layout so users can quickly get to the apps they want. It also provides quick links to the most popular app management options.

With new larger icons, the user can better manage the apps they’ve blocked from the "Apps I’ve Blocked" section.

Finally, from the "Apps I Haven’t Added" section, the user can manage the global privacy permissions. Privacy conscious users can prevent apps they haven’t explicitly installed but whose canvas they are viewing, such as Open Canvas apps, from having access to their basic info. They can also prevent apps they haven’t added from receiving unsolicited communications (for example receiving app invites or profile comments).

You can find out more about implementing Open Canvas functionality in our "How Open Canvas Works" primer or check out our "Open Canvas FAQ".