Facebook has launched its location-based service Facebook Places.
The service, initially available only in the US and on the iPhone or via a mobile browser, will allow people to check-in at places, much like Gowalla or Foursquare.
People can create Places based on their locations for people to check-in at, and businesses can claim locations where they’re based.
Users can also tag other people in a location if they’re with them, in the same way people tag photos or status updates on the social network. When you’re at a location, a People Here Now function lets you see who else has checked in.
Facebook plans to offer location features through its Graph API and is already working with other location services such as Gowalla, Foursquare, Yelp and Booyah to integrate the functionality of Places.
The default setting for Places is that only your friends can see information around your location. Facebook has also updated its privacy settings to allow users to disable the location functionality, particularly around third-party applications and others tagging your location.
Michael Sharon, Facebook product manager for Places, said, “You may want to share your check-in information with third-party applications that build interesting experiences around location, such as travel planning. Applications you use must receive your permission before getting this information. Your friends will be able to share your check-ins with the applications they use to help create new social experiences based on location. If you don’t want to share your check-ins with your friends’ applications, just uncheck the box in your Privacy Settings under Applications and Websites.”
Source: New Media Age
Author: Charlotte McEleny
Date: 19/08/2010