Kevin Bostic
Facebook on Tuesday rolled out an update for its flagship iOS app that doesn't quite bring it in line with the capabilities of Facebook Home on Android, but does port over some new elements.
Facebook version 6.0 brings the Chat Heads contact feature to Apple's platform, though in a more limited capacity than they appear on Facebook Home. The pop-up contact bubbles appear only in the Facebook app, and they are unable to integrate with a user's SMS contacts.
Recently Facebook was rumored to be working on bringing the "immersive" experience of Facebook Home to Apple's iOS and Microsoft's Windows Phone 8 platforms. Those rumors, though, were quickly shot down by knowledgeable sources, who said Facebook has no plans to port the Home experience to either platform.
The update also brings the ability to send "stickers" — giant, emoji-like pictures — to other users. The stickers come in packs of related pictures and are currently free. The ability to send stickers is currently limited to the iPhone, but any device can receive them.
The update also packs a redesign of the News Feed, making it cleaner and more easily accessible. Version 6.0 of Facebook for iOS will be rolling out for free for iPad and iPhone users later on Tuesday.
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Wesley Hilliard
AppleInsider Staff
Andrew Orr
Amber Neely
William Gallagher
12 Comments
This also coincides with the new look Timeline on FB web.
Am I the only one that sees FB reinventing the wheel? Why do I need chat in FB? I've got SMS & iMessage. All "free" anyways. I've noticed that I get SMS/iMessage replies way more quickly then messages I send to ppl on FB. They're reinventing the wheel and trying to force it upon ppl to show why you need it "because everyone is on it"... self fulfilling prophecy. No thanks. I just keep checking FB less and less :)
FB trying to feel more and more like Twitter everyday. Gawd I wish FB would just die; it's just another example of an over inflated idea that, I hope, will eventually die. It really serves no actual purpose.
FB trying to feel more and more like Twitter everyday. Gawd I wish FB would just die; it's just another example of an over inflated idea that, I hope, will eventually die. It really serves no actual purpose.
Don't be obtuse.
If you do not want or don't know how to use it, that's your problem.
[quote name="drewyboy" url="/t/157007/facebook-app-for-ios-gets-chat-heads-stickers-new-news-feed#post_2311281"]Am I the only one that sees FB reinventing the wheel? Why do I need chat in FB? I've got SMS & iMessage. All "free" anyways. I've noticed that I get SMS/iMessage replies way more quickly then messages I send to ppl on FB. They're reinventing the wheel and trying to force it upon ppl to show why you need it "because everyone is on it"... self fulfilling prophecy. No thanks. I just keep checking FB less and less :)[/quote] It's useful for talking to people whose numbers you don't have. That might sound ludicrous to some people (why wouldn't you have someone's phone number if you're friends on Facebook?) but it's pretty normal for the “Facebook generation".