Facebook has more than 200 million active mobile Facebook users, and they are catering to these mobile users with some new features.
Among the new features:
Facebook is introducing "single sign-on," which allows users to access mobile applications without having to sign-on with a username and password each time. By logging in once with their Facebook username and password, users can access any other mobile application that supports single sign-on simply by clicking a "Login with Facebook" button.
Users can already take advantage of single sign-on with certain Android apps, including Flixster, Groupon, Loopt, SCVNGR, Yelp and Zynga Poker. Certain iPhone apps will soon support single sign-on as well. Facebook expects more apps to support single sign-on in the future.
Facebook is also launching an Android 1.4 update, which includes Places and Groups. Places allows users to keep their friends posted on their current location by letting users check-in from their favorite restaurants, shops, or any other location, directly from their smartphone.
Besides allowing users to share their current location, the iPhone 3.3 application enables users to "star" friends in their Facebook Places to keep updated with their current locations.
Users can also use Facebook Places to get deals and promotions from restaurants, retail shops and other businesses that they frequent. Users can access the deals by checking in to a local restaurant or favorite store. Nearby places will have deals appear next to them in yellow. Users can click on the deal and then show their phone to the cashier to claim their discount or gift.
Through the Android 1.4 and iPhone updates, Facebook Groups gives users the ability to access the same groups that they have on the Facebook page. Facebook users can categorize their friends into groups and easily send messages to a single group from their smartphone.
Based on user requests, the Android 1.4 update will also allow users to check notifications through the Facebook app without being sent to their browser.