Facebook seems to always be updating and integrating new applications to their site, whether it’s games or updating your status via Twitter. Now, like the ever-so-popular foursquare comes Facebook Places. Both applications are very similar in the fact that they are typically used by cellular devices to check into “places” you’re visiting. Since it’s recent release, Facebook Places already has an iPhone application and even gives you the feature to tag people in your update.
Here’s how it works:
• Check in and your update will appear on the Place page, your friends’ News Feed and your Wall.
• Tag the friends you’re with so they can be part of your update.
• Appear in “Here Now” to friends and others nearby who are also checked in.
Note: If a friend tags you in their places update, you’ve already been checked in without having to update it yourself. However, if you don’t have places, the tag will appear as a mention in a status update.
There are other great benefits to this application including instant check-in so others can see where you are. While using Facebook Places, you can browse status updates of your friends who may be checked into a business near you. Also, once you check in tap “Here Now” to see if anyone is checked in at your current location. The best part about this application is that you can meet friends, coworkers, or family easily through your mobile device.
So the question now is: Will Facebook Places replace foursquare? For now it’s hard to say, but with the success of other Facebook applications—it has a promising future.
