November 9th, 2012

If You Use Facebook Camera Or Messenger, You’re One Of Zuck’s Guinea Pigs

FACEBOOK GUINEA PIGS

How does Facebook know what features are good enough for its main smartphone apps? It tests them on the power users of its standalone apps Camera and Messenger. If the guinea pigs dig a new gesture or option, it gets called up to the big leagues — the 100 million+ user Facebook for iOS and Android apps. → Read More

November 5th, 2012

Facebook For iOS Gets Photo Filters And Multi-Shot Sharing, Beating Twitter To The Punch

Fileters Facebook

Don’t trust the release notes. Facebook has just added photo filters to its iOS app, though the feature wasn’t announced in the version 5.1 “What’s New” that highlights multi-photo uploads, slide-out chat buddy list, and Gift giving. Here’s a look at the new features in v5.1 and what I think will be added in the next release. There are reports of serious bugs, though, so consider waiting for a… → Read More

August 22nd, 2012

Why The OFT And FTC Let Facebook Buy Instagram: FB Camera Is Tiny, IG Makes No Money, And Google

FTC Instagram Facebook

Evidence from Facebook and Instagram plus analysis from outside experts has convinced the Federal Trade Commission to today approve the landmark acquisition. After four months of investigation, the UK’s Office Of Fair Trading that works with the FTC also revealed exactly why it approved the deal.

The OFT cites that Camera+ and other competitors dwarf Facebook’s standalone Camera app… → Read More

May 25th, 2012

Facebook Camera Could Backfire and Get All Of FB’s Apps Buried In A Folder

Facebook App Overload Folder

Not everyone loves Facebook enough to give it three, four, or five spots on their homescreen. So yesterday’s launch of Facebook’s third consumer iOS app, Facebook Camera, could actually end up reducing usage of Facebook’s main app, Messenger,  and others by compelling people to consolidate them into a folder.

This issue isn’t one just for Facebook but for any developer looking to break out… → Read More