Description

Facebook isn’t called the worlds largest social networking site for no reason, with it having as of July 2010 more than 500 million active users. And of course a Facebook Android App is equally huge and it comes as no surprise that it is one of the most downloaded apps from the Android Market. Facebook has recognized how popular the app has become and have started to regularly update the app. Lets have a closer look though.

Functions & Design

When first entering the application you will come to your homescreen, were you will see all the latest updates from your friends and at the top of the screen you will see two buttons on the right hand side. One is a search function and the other allows you to update your status, letting you tell your friends what your up to or whats on your mind. Also on the left of the “What’s on your mind?” box, you will see a small camera, this button allows users to upload pictures or take one directly from your Android device and then upload it onto Facebook.

Users can also tap the Facebook icon in the top left of the screen and you will then be redirected to a screen with nine different options, these are pretty standard for all of those accustomed to Facebook already, these being, a button to access your Profile, your messages, your groups, events, photos, places and chat.

Also at the bottom of the screen you will see a notifications button and all the latest pictures that have been uploaded by your friends or Facebook pages you like. The notifications button is simple in that it allows the users to see all of the newest notifications, whether its one of their friends posting something on their wall or if someone has tagged them in a new picture, you guys know the drill.

Most other features most users will be familiar with as the app is very much like its older brother on Mac and PC. Not all users may be familiar with the feature “Places” though. Basically what it is, is users can “Check In”, which means they can share where they are with their friends. And if they have their GPS turned on, there friends can then locate that particular place they “Checked In” at over Google Maps.

In a recent update, Facebook added the chat feature which enables you to chat via messaging to your Facebook friends in real time. Which was for a long time not available on the Android application.

Conclusion

Those of you who are familiar with the Mac or PC version will have no problems getting adjusted to the Android version, Facebook have done a wonderful job in integrating their social network onto Android devices. Though the interface is a little different for the smaller screens, it is still very similar to its older brother and lets be honest Facebook was never complicated anyway, which is one of its strongest points. Anyone who has a Facebook account, must consider this application a “must have”, as it enables you to keep track of what your family and friends are up to on the go.