10 May 2010
Mapping and GPS technology may not be far off for social media giants Facebook, according to recent reports across the media. After a slight shock at its non-launch at the F8 developer conference, a section of code seems to suggest that the feature is in the works after all.
MG Siegler of TechCrunch revealed yesterday that an error loading the site on a Safari-enabled touch phone precipitated the discovery. When viewing the site through Safari's debug mode, the error was pinned down to a "places_tab" - something that does not currently exist on the site.
Siegler said exploring the code further provided the revelation that "Places" would share a user's geographical location - including latitude, longitude, altitude, heading and speed - using this information to populate a section of Facebook listing nearby venues and allowing users to 'check in'.
This, of course, would pose a great threat to similar social start-ups, including Foursquare, which just reached its one-millionth user and uses a check-in system with bars and restaurants, in addition to other businesses. The system rewards users with the most visits, and has worked with large chains to promote various locations.
According an unnamed executive speaking to AdAge.com, there are a number of such large corporations waiting to be first in line for deals with Facebook.
With a hundred million people using Facebook mobile, and a million on Foursquare, advertisers are holding out for something similar to "Places", some experts have said.
"We're always looking for the next big thing that isn't just a passing fad, but a viable wave in consumer behavior," Chris Fuller, media director at Pizza Hut, told AdAge. "Geolocation services appear to be just that, which is why it's a top priority for us."
Whilst Facebook remains mum on the possibility of an eminent launch, it could be only weeks before 'check ins' become as easy as status updates.
Developers look set to put Facebook on the map - or vice versa
Mapping and GPS technology may not be far off for social media giants Facebook, according to recent reports across the media. After a slight shock at its non-launch at the F8 developer conference, a section of code seems to suggest that the feature is in the works after all.MG Siegler of TechCrunch revealed yesterday that an error loading the site on a Safari-enabled touch phone precipitated the discovery. When viewing the site through Safari's debug mode, the error was pinned down to a "places_tab" - something that does not currently exist on the site.
Siegler said exploring the code further provided the revelation that "Places" would share a user's geographical location - including latitude, longitude, altitude, heading and speed - using this information to populate a section of Facebook listing nearby venues and allowing users to 'check in'.
This, of course, would pose a great threat to similar social start-ups, including Foursquare, which just reached its one-millionth user and uses a check-in system with bars and restaurants, in addition to other businesses. The system rewards users with the most visits, and has worked with large chains to promote various locations.
According an unnamed executive speaking to AdAge.com, there are a number of such large corporations waiting to be first in line for deals with Facebook.
With a hundred million people using Facebook mobile, and a million on Foursquare, advertisers are holding out for something similar to "Places", some experts have said.
"We're always looking for the next big thing that isn't just a passing fad, but a viable wave in consumer behavior," Chris Fuller, media director at Pizza Hut, told AdAge. "Geolocation services appear to be just that, which is why it's a top priority for us."
Whilst Facebook remains mum on the possibility of an eminent launch, it could be only weeks before 'check ins' become as easy as status updates.
English
German/Deutsch
Norwegian/Norsk
Swedish/Svenska
Italian/Italiano
French/Français
Spanish/Español
