Updated Facebook for BlackBerry: Now includes Places

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!