Facebook seems to have been doing some good things for Android users lately. Of course, we saw those “droidfood” signs urging Facebook employees to begin using Android a little while back. Perhaps more important for the average user though, the Facebook for Android app was updated yesterday. And while Facebook made the push for the end user yesterday, it looks like they are making the push for developers today.
This latest bit deals with the Facebook SDK for Android. Specifically, version 3.0. This was originally released in beta form about six weeks back. As of today, Facebook SDK 3.0 for Android is out of beta. Facebook has said that this SDK has been downloaded more than 80,000 times and that this will make it “easier to build social Android apps.”
As to what developers can expect here; a native Facebook login experience, Friend Picker, Places Picker and a Profile Picture control. These are all pretty much how they sound. The login will allow people to authorize permissions without leaving your app, the Friend Picker will allow users to tag friends, the Places Picker will allow users to choose nearby places and the Picture control will show the profile picture for any Facebook object to include people, places and things.
Otherwise, it was said that this release will simplify authentication and authorization, bring improved Facebook API support and allow you to measure clicks and installs for mobile app install ad. Bottom line here, this looks like good news for app developers looking to make use of Facebook. For the end-user, expect any apps with Facebook integration to get updates in the not to distant future.
[via Facebook Developers]
