Contacts sync, Push, more for Facebook 3.1

Jonny Evans
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August 29, 2009
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Facebook 3.0 shipped this week, and developer Joe Hewitt - who made a highly-publicised plea for the removal of the entire App Store approval process in the prelude to his app making it onto the store - spent time with ReadWriteWeb to chat about what he has planned next for the Facebook 3.0 App.

Hewitt’s a developer’s developer, his previous work has included the co-creation of the Firefox web browser. He’s named three improvements he hopes to implement in a future release of the software.

The developer confirms true push notifications are scheduled for introduction in v.3.1 of the iPhone and iPod touch-friendly software, saying, “We are working on push. I plan to have it in the next major update, the 3.1. It will be the same kind of notifications you get on the website.”

Hewitt is also working to develop saved, site-wide search features within the Facebook app, though he was unable to promise this would be introduced in 3.1.

Finally, he also wants to synchronise contact lists between your Facebook friends and iPhone contact lists. Apparently what’s in the way are terms of service and privacy restrictions, rather than any technical problems. The way this may work could be that when your friends call you their Facebook avatars pop-up on the iPhone’s screen.

Comments (9)

Drew Porterfield (not verified) | August 29, 2009 - 6:02am

There is already an app to sync Facebook avatars with your contact list. So when someone calls, their Facebook profile pic shows up on your screen. It's called FriendSync. (though I guess it'd be nice if Facebook itself could take care of this)

sun2blue (not verified) | August 29, 2009 - 7:18am

The way the current Facebook terms are written it doesn't let you sync additional information, ie, address, phone numbers, emails. If he could work with facebook to get around that... then it would be a useful addition... Otherwise, you're right, there are several apps that simply "copy" your facebook avatars to addressbook

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 29, 2009 - 9:52am

I would like to share events too.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 29, 2009 - 1:44pm

it would be nice if I could copy and paste from messages in Facebook...

Gregory (not verified) | August 30, 2009 - 3:39am

it won't be easy to sync contact data. while technically feasible, FaceBook was designed to be a closed system to keep everyone inside. by keeping contacts within the confines of the system, you won't be able to effortlessly forego the system for something else.

Michael (not verified) | August 31, 2009 - 5:56am

The FB app for BlackBerry has been syncing contacts for a while now... I'm not sure why there are so many questions about having this feature available on the iPhone app as well.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | August 31, 2009 - 12:47pm

Basically, T&Cs of Facebook wont allow syncing of contact details.

I've been using Fonebook on my PC for a while, which can sync Photo and Status to Outlook/Exchange, which then for me syncs to the iphone. The developer of that app also has the same issue. Facebook dont allow apps to directly access the email and phone numbers etc of your friends in their T&Cs.

Be interesting to hear if the BB app does actually sync everything, or just bits of information.

Vince (not verified) | September 05, 2009 - 12:22am

Hopefully sooner, I could have a very good use of my Iphone. I'm an avid fan of Facebook together with my close friends. I couldn't just live without it. If my contact lists are synced, that would be some improvement. Vince at best registry cleaner

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | September 09, 2009 - 7:07am

I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Betty

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