Today,
as announced, Facebook held a special event focused on mobile platforms. However,
the rumors were wrong, they didn't announce an iPad app. Instead, they announced a few new services, and updated
their iOS app, to bring it up to speed with their new features.
To please their now 200 million mobile users, Facebook has proceeded to add a new interface to their iOS app to let users manage the new Groups feature. Also, the Places feature has been improved with support for pictures, as well as enhanced tagging. You can access all of this immediately by updating the app.
The biggest news is, without a doubt, Facebook's new Deals service. Thanks to a bunch of partnerships, you'll now be able to check into places in exchange for discounts, rebates and all kinds of promotions.
For example: the first 10,000 users to check into a GAP store using Facebook will be getting a free pair of blue jeans. Or,
the Las Vegas Palms will offer you a third night for free if you check in there. You get the idea.
As for the iPad app, no luck there, as Facebook doesn't consider our favorite tablet as a mobile platform! Also, they note that they want to see what other tablets will be significant in the market before they invest their resources in that space. This looks like good news for third party alternatives. Hopefully those third-party apps will now be improved.
Disappointed? In love with the update? Tell us about it!
