Going mobile at Facebook's event (photos)
Facebook is trying to copy the success of Apple by holding a press "event" to highlight new products or services - in this case mobile. Like Apple, Facebook has kept the announcement(s) secret until now. Playing the part of Steve Jobs is Facebook head honcho Mark Zuckerberg.
For more details of the event, check out Sam Diaz's blog.
Credit: Josh Lowensohn CNET
Despite rumors to the contrary, Zuckerberg says Facebook is not making a phone. He says today's news is about the phone platform. Games have pushed Facebook's mobile experience, but making any app social is more important.
In Facebook's iPhone app the Places feature now includes photo uploading.
iPhone 3.3 lets you share your location and find deals from restaurants and businesses (only in the U.S.). You can also tag your friends to find them faster and use Groups.
Places and Groups will launch with the new Android 1.4 update. With Places, you friends can now check in to any location from your Android phone.
Credit: Facebook
The Groups feature that was recently launched on Facebook can be used on your Android phone.
Credit: Facebook
Zuckerberg says the first new feature is a single sign-on, the second new feature are new location APIs, and the third new feature is a "deals platform."
The single sign-on uses the same system on Facebook.com and will remove the need to sign into individual services letting you log into other sites using your same Facebook credentials.
Hopefully, that will make everyone happy!
Here are the partners using the Facebook sign-in.
There's a green rectangle next to the businesses which are promoting a deal. Click on it to see what it is.
Many retail partners who join the service are promoting it with free gear. GAP promises free jeans to 10,000 people who check-in. The Alamo drafthouse/cinema is giving away free pint glasses and a free screening. The North Face has set up check-ins for each national park. The Palms resort/casino is giving a third night free for anyone who checks in for a 2-night stay. The Golden State Warriors basketball team is using the check-in system for a game after party.