X

Updated Facebook for BlackBerry: Now includes Places

The updated Facebook for BlackBerry application now includes iPhone-competing Places to check-in, and other user interface and feature tweaks.
By Zack Whittaker, Contributor
482846.png
1 of 8 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

It isn't just the iPhone which has Facebook Places now; the BlackBerry has it too. BlackBerry devices are now the second most used mobile device to access the site from (from the application, not necessarily the mobile web) so it makes sense for Facebook to capitalise upon this huge demographic of people.

With Places, you can attach your GPS or A/GPS (network assisted for power saving) location to a map, which is done automatically, type what you are doing there and allow others to see where you are, what you are doing and who you are with.

For some it is a scary thought, but for others it is perfect for their social needs. This gallery explores the checking-in process for the Facebook Places for BlackBerry update.

For more on BlackBerry and Facebook, check out the ZDNet iGeneration blog which covers these on a semi-regular basis.

482847.jpg
2 of 8 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

From the word go, you will notice something ever so slightly different about this logo. It has the roll-over lower light blue area which lights up, which clearly signifies a difference in the application. On the whole, everything in this new version is exactly as it was before, but with a few additional options for your perusal - such as Pages, which have been heavily plugged since the change in the terms and conditions of the site.

For more on BlackBerry and Facebook, check out the ZDNet iGeneration blog which covers these on a semi-regular basis.

482858.jpg
3 of 8 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

As soon as you load up Places, which is the furthest icon to the right at the top of the application, it will attempt to acquire your location based on your device GPS, or through A/GPS which is helped along by your mobile network operator. From here, it will either store temporarily a specific set of co-ordinates or a rough area of where you are located. This will help later on when it loads up various other places in that vicinity of where others have checked into recently.

For more on BlackBerry and Facebook, check out the ZDNet iGeneration blog which covers these on a semi-regular basis.

482859.jpg
4 of 8 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

The check-in button will appear once it has acquired your exact or nearest-best location. You can also see where others have been and when. If multiple people have checked in together (which requires some synchronisation on their part) it will show as such. However in this case as you can see, two people have checked into a particular place at the same time respectively of each other.

For more on BlackBerry and Facebook, check out the ZDNet iGeneration blog which covers these on a semi-regular basis.

482860.jpg
5 of 8 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

Depending on where you are and who has been there before, you will receive a list of places in that area which match up to your location. This links into pre-existing Facebook pages which can be used to promote businesses, buildings, events and other things based at that location. If, however that place has not been checked-into before, then you can create a new place.

(Some points redacted for security)

For more on BlackBerry and Facebook, check out the ZDNet iGeneration blog which covers these on a semi-regular basis.

482862.jpg
6 of 8 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

For me, I was checking into Canterbury West train station. I simply added a status to what I was doing and with this, allows the location and status to be mashed together. All in all, this is a very simple process which takes very little time, and becomes second nature after a few times.

You can also tag a friend (this can be disabled in the full Facebook privacy settings) if they are with you, and of course you are given the option to check in.

A warning will display stating to be careful when tagging people and yourself as these may be broadcast to more people than you want. It does err you on the side of caution.

For more on BlackBerry and Facebook, check out the ZDNet iGeneration blog which covers these on a semi-regular basis.

482863.jpg
7 of 8 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

Once you are checked in, it will display it on your social feed instantly.

For more on BlackBerry and Facebook, check out the ZDNet iGeneration blog which covers these on a semi-regular basis.

482864.jpg
8 of 8 Zack Whittaker/ZDNET

And finally, this is how it looks to everybody else. Be wary though, as this doesn't always take into account your status update privacy settings, so it may be broadcast to more people than you want - including those on your limited profile lists!

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes
Holiday lights in Central Park background

Related Galleries

Holiday wallpaper for your phone: Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and winter scenes

21 Photos
Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting
Wooden lodge in pine forest with heavy snow reflection on Lake O'hara at Yoho national park

Related Galleries

Winter backgrounds for your next virtual meeting

21 Photos
Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes
3D Rendering Christmas interior

Related Galleries

Holiday backgrounds for Zoom: Christmas cheer, New Year's Eve, Hanukkah and winter scenes

21 Photos
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza
img-8825

Related Galleries

Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6: Electric vehicle extravaganza

26 Photos
A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex
img-9792-2

Related Galleries

A weekend with Google's Chrome OS Flex

22 Photos
Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup
shutterstock-1024665187.jpg

Related Galleries

Cybersecurity flaws, customer experiences, smartphone losses, and more: ZDNet's research roundup

8 Photos
Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'
Full of promises!

Related Galleries

Inside a fake $20 '16TB external M.2 SSD'

8 Photos