Facebook joins the so-called “location war” with the launch of Facebook Places. Places is currently available for Apple iPhone users (with the newest version of the Facebook App) and mobile users accessing touch.facebook.com and allows users to “check in” using their mobile phones to inform friends of where they are. In addition to checking in their own location, users will be able to “tag” friends that are with them as well. Users will also be able to see if any friends have chosen to check in nearby.
Places is currently rolling out to all US users and is looked to be picked up by younger and socially active individuals. Maybe someone is at a bar or restaurant and that person checks in with Places and views if anyone else is nearby. Communication can then ensue to meet up. You can also leave comments with your check ins. Maybe it is positive comments about a restaurants food or service. Places will also allow users to identify hot spots in their area and new area to check out.
With all of the geolocation services in the news recently and the rising concern of privacy, is Facebook Places something to be concerned with?
Facebook has made a solid attempt to alleviate concerns of privacy by adding privacy settings and setting up the default setting with a fairly conservative approach. By default, if you are a Facebook user, Places will have very minimal impact to you. First of all, a user would need to initiate an action of "check in" for Facebook (and users) to see where you are. So Facebook is not looking at where you are and posting it without your knowledge.
There are several several new privacy settings for Places. The first new privacy settings is under the section "Things I share" and it is called "Places I check in." By default this setting is set to "Friends Only" which means that only your "friends" will be able to check in and see where you are. If you would like to have more privacy, change that setting to "Customize" and either specify which of your friends or groups can, or can't, see where you check in.
The second new setting is "Include me in 'People Here Now' after I check in." This setting lets others at the same spot know that you are there. It is important to know that the people who see this may not necessarily be just your friends seeing this list. By default this setting is disabled which means that in order for your friends, and others, to see you in the list of people nearby to them you would need to enable this setting.
The third new setting is under the "Things others share" section and is called "Friends can check me in to Places." By default this setting is not set and displays "Select one" in the drop down list. It is important to know that the first time a friend tags you through Places, you will receive a notification on Facebook and you will be given the choice to allow your friends to check you in to places or not. When your friends check you in, it is as if you have checked in at that place yourself. You also will appear checked-in to your friends. If you don't allow friends to check you in, then when they tag you at a place, your name will appear in the same way it appears in a tagged status update. You will not appear checked in at that place. Similar to photo tagging, you have the ability to remove yourself from Places check-in or tag.
The last privacy option is a bit tucked away and is listed under the "Application and Websites" section under "Privacy Settings." Click on "Edit your settings" and click on "Edit Settings" next to "Info accessible through your friends." The new settings is labeled "Places I've Visited" and by default is checked. This means that the Places you have checked in will be available to applications, games and websites when your friends use them. To disable this setting uncheck the setting.
Creating friends lists and why it is recommended
One final topic regarding privacy that many Facebook users don’t know is that you can create a list to organize your friends. Some suggestions for lists would be one for family, one for friends, and one for business. I’ve heard from some users that they have two separate Facebook accounts setup, one for personal use and the other for business use. I feel that not only is that incredibly difficult to manage, it really isn’t necessary. After you have these lists setup, you can modify your privacy settings to allow certain lists to see some things and other lists not to see other things. So for example you can modify your privacy settings so that photos and video that you are tagged in (which sometimes can be a bit embarrassing!) are excluded from “friends” listed under your business list to view.
Developer: Flipboard Inc.
App Name: Flipboard
Category: News
iTunes Preview
Version Reviewed: 1.0.1
App Price: FREE
Date Reviewed: 7/26/2010
Flipboard is your personal magazine with content that you care about because it has content that is connected to your social networks. Articles, images, photo albums, and videos come to you and you can always go through Flipbook’s own content selection as well.
Flipbook is really great because of it’s fast and fluid feeling it provides like “flipping” through a magazine custom tailored with content that you want to see and from your social networks. You can share, like, and reply on your social networks as well catch up on recent news.
Flipping to more content is done by swiping your finger across the screen. You can pinch zoom on practically everything from images, videos, and text and are provided corresponding options like replying or commenting. Rotating the screen from landscape to portrait changes the layout. You can pinch zoom into articles.
First impression is the interface is not only amazing, it is also very intriguing. Basically everything from the interface standpoint does everything you think it should do which never leaves you with trying some motion or tapping leaving the app non-responsive.
The only negatives that I have come across was the lack of options for the app including the lack of ability to remove either Twitter or Facebook (for those users who do not wish to have one or both shown). Another negative that came to mind regarding the Facebook content was the lack of options and flexibility to customization of what content from Facebook is displayed as well as in what specific type of layout or theme.
Maybe these items will be future upgrades to the app. Overall a very well done app that I enjoy going to on a daily basis.
Developer: SHAPE Services
App Name: IM+ Lite
Category: Social Networking
iTunes Preview
Version Reviewed: 4.2
App Price: Free
Date Reviewed: 7/3/2010
IM+ Lite is the best instant messaging app for the iPhone and iPad that I have tried. You can connect to all of the major networks including Google Talk, MSN/Live Messenger, AIM/iChat, Yahoo, Facebook, Skype Chat, ICQ, MySpace, Jabber, Twitter.
IM+ Lite is very easy to setup and allows you to enter in your IM accounts of your choice. Once setup, you can setup your options to connect at start up or require manual connection to your IM accounts.
Once connected, you can close the app and still receive notification of new IM conversations with Apple Push Notifications to the iPad. There is a time limit for how long after you close the app for receiving Apple Push Notifications but it is more than sufficient.
One of the nicest features is the built-in browser. Links send to you over IM will automatically open up the built-in browser and take you to the website. After you are done you can seamlessly go back to the IM conversation without having to leave your app. I don’t use the group chat feature often but it is nice that it is available with the use of MSN/Live Messenger account.
IM+ Lite is free to download. There are some ads that show which go away with the paid app for $6.99. All in all, I am very pleased with the features and functionality of this instant messaging app.
Recent Comments