Today Facebook announced that it is launching an update to its Android app that it is “two times faster than previous Android apps.” This update looks a lot like the Facebook iPad app, all the way down to the Nearby option, which was previously called Places and, previous to that, Check-In. Messages and notifications start at the top of the screen, which should make navigation around the app much simpler. The menu is now located on the left-hand side of the app. Users don’t have to switch back-and-forth from the Home screen just to see events, news feed and messages and other features. Now everything is located in one space.
Slowly but surely, the world’s biggest social network is beginning to converge its platform UIs. The big question is, will users like the new UI?
Historically, Facebook has been slow to update its Android apps. When it finally does, it packs in a lot.
Zuckerberg has gone on the record as admitting that Facebook’s Android apps have always “been a little behind.” The update will be available for download soon in the Android Market. With the shift toward HTML5 and the convergence of platform UIs, this seems likely to change.
Speaking of Android, the long-rumoredFacebook phone will run a modified version of Android. It is slated to launch sometime in the next 12-18 months.
What do you think of the Facebook user interface? Tell us in the comments.
