Review: LinkedIn

Overview LinkedIn is the app for the massive business networking website of the same name. In many ways, it's the Facebook of the business world, seeking to help you make connections with others in your field and at work. You'll be amazed how quickly your network increases. It is one of the best examples of the "six degrees of separation" theory (which was recently "proven" by Microsoft research, Read.)

Functionality First of all, you're going to want to use LinkedIn's website to get things setup. It's so much easier and faster that way. The app is really designed to take advantage of your existing online account there - much like the Ebay app. After setting up an account at their website, you link your app to your account, and you're ready to keep up with your expanding network. The app has four main buttons across the bottom which are self-explanatory (or so I thought):

• LinkedIn - This shows you the latest connections between all your contacts. Usually it will say, "Betty Boop is now connected to Mickey Mouse." (Assuming that you live in an imaginary world and have cartoon characters as your network.)
• Connections - Shows you your entire list of contacts. It's very similar to the contact display screen on the iPhone. One nice feature is that it shows you the current business role of each contact.
• Search - An amazing addition to this app. It doesn't just search your own contacts. It searches the entire LinkedIn database. If you're looking for a business associate but didn't get a business card from her, then chances are if she's on LinkedIn, you will be able to find her.
• Status - Built-in update capability for the LinkedIn site.

Clicking on the name of a contact brings up that individual contact's LinkedIn profile and allows you to send a message to them or even call them (if they have a phone number on their profile). You can scroll down a contact's screen to see their bio and other information about them.

Review LinkedIn is a great app for those who are regular users of the website. I can also see how it might be extremely useful for businesses and employers looking for that next hire. You will appreciate its clean, simple interface. They didn't try to do too much with the app. I don't think you'll be using it that often. It's really one of those "reference apps." As much as LinkedIn would like you to check back regularly, the nature of the beast is that most folks on your LinkedIn list won't be familiar to you. They'll be contacts of contacts and sometimes beyond that. Summary Those who don't use LinkedIn and aren't enamored with the network's features and possibilities won't find the app useful at all. Again, it's entirely dependent on their website. But if you want to get hooked-up, you need to get LinkedIn.

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