Nextdoor, the social media app for your neighborhood and local events, has launched a new redesign. The company says the changes are to "meet the evolving needs of neighbors everywhere" as the shift toward remote and hybrid work has resulted in people spending more time in their local communities.
The redesign focuses on three core features that will help you navigate the goings-on of your neighborhood: Alerts, News and Faves. Here's how each of these features works, and how the service is incorporating an artificial intelligence chatbot into the app's overhaul.
The Nextdoor Alerts feature combines information from trusted sources, local emergency services and your neighbors to give you the fullest understanding of a situation. Nextdoor/Screenshot by Tyler Lacoma/CNET
Alerts
As a local social media application, Nextdoor has been able to share information about local emergencies or crises in the past. Identifying this important use case, developers created the Alert tab, a map expressly designed to help you stay on top of critical happenings nearby.
The map tracks power outages, severe weather, wildfires and more. Nextdoor powers this new feature through partnerships with providers like Samdesk and The Weather Company, integrating their latest updates into the map.
The Alerts tab will also allow you to converse with your neighbors about what's happening nearby, sharing warnings or the latest information about a crisis. Local public agencies (such as your town's fire department) can also send out news blasts directly to the Nextdoor Alerts tab.
The Nextdoor News feature integrates trusted local publications into the app. Nextdoor/Screenshot by Tyler Lacoma/CNET
News
You've always been able to hear about the latest events from neighbors through conversations on the Nextdoor app, but this feature will directly connect you with local news outlets to keep your neighborhood informed.
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