No Escape From Planet Facebook: Microsoft Mobile Adds App

mobile platform networking

Microsoft will offer the Facebook application as part of its Windows Mobile 6 operating system.

Microsoft is a bit late to the party. Although this is an officially sanctioned app from the Redmond, Wash.-based company, Macrospecs launched its own Windows Mobile handset app, FriendMobilizer, in July 2008. There also are similar apps from third-party developers for BlackBerry and Palm devices. Not to be left out, Next Mobile unveiled a Facebook app for the Android market in November 2008.

These apps all do pretty much the same things. Users can get Facebook notifications sent directly to home screens, set their status, approve friend requests, see group and events invites, check walls and inboxes, and bug their friends with pokes and messages.

Facebook is not the only social networking site that's hopped on the mobile app bandwagon. For those who simply must know what you're doing -- listen up Oprah -- there's a slew of mobile apps to access Twitter. These include ceTwit for Windows Mobile 6; Hahlo for iPhone/iPod Touch; MobileTwitter for jailbroken iPhones and iPod Touches, among others.

Of course there's an escape route from the land of Facebook -- just don't download these apps. Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny. Maybe.