Changes "just like Google and Twitter" have been announced but they're nothing to do with what the rivals are offering."This is launch season, " says Facebook. As for the IPO, pencil in next September.

On Tuesday, came an updated Friends Lists, including Smart List, just like the popular Circles feature on Google+. 

On Wednesday, Facebook introduced Subscribe - a similar feature to Twitter - which allows users to "follow" popular figures' updates without adding them as a contact or dealing with a fan page. 

A spokeswoman for Facebook said the changes, which also include new privacy settings, had nothing to do with rival social networks, but were instead part of Facebook's "launch season."

"We've been working on several new products for the past few months, and we're now launching them -- this is launch season. We'll continue to add products and features that make Facebook more useful and engaging," she told the San Jose Mercury News.   The Subscribe feature means public figures, journalists, celebrities and others can communicate with fans and other interested parties through their main Facebook page rather than also maintaining a separate Fan Page.   The updated Friends List was simply in response to user complaints, not a response to Google , the Facebook spokeswoman said: "People have told us that Friend Lists were difficult to find and keep updated, hence the improvements." The Financial Times reported yesterday that Facebook's IPO is now planned for late 2012. The report says Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg wants to wait until next September or later in order to keep employees focused on all the changes Facebook has in store before then. "There's really no reason to rush a deal," Lise Buyer, an IPO consultant told the FT. "The company doesn't need the money. It is a little easier to focus when you're private. They'll go when they're good and ready, not before."