by Kyle Sinclair

Created on: July 30, 2008   Last Updated: May 01, 2011

Being both an avid iPhone fan and a stalwart Facebook user, I wasted no time in downloading the new Facebook Application for the iPhone 2.0 software. It boasts all the features from the desktop version, condensed with a simple, foolproof user interface that only shows you what you want to see, without any superfluous noise, as it were.

Two features stood out as being exemplary. On a regular internet browser, sifting through one's Facebook profile to find their Wall can be an arduous task especially when they have filled their pages up with meaningless knick-knacks. The Facebook application remedies this problem by simplifying the profile option to lead you directly where you want to be. On the menu bar at the bottom of the screen, hitting the "Friends" icon will bring up an alphabetical list of all your friends, with their profile pictures attached. Tapping a finger on any name opens their adjusted iPhone profile, showing their name, profile picture, and current status. Below that are three clearly marked buttons that lead to the three most used profile functions: the Wall, the Mini-feed, and the user's Photos. Further down there is the option to see their Personal Information (favorite movies and such) and shortcuts to send them a message, chat with them, or even just Poke them.

This setup feels so natural and easy that I usually prefer it over the full version. It lays down the essentials from any profile on an incredibly simple and aesthetically pleasing page.

The second best feature of the Facebook Application is the Inbox. The icon on the bottom bar opens the user's inbox, allowing one to easily navigate and read their mail, which appears in a very conversational manner, resembling the back-&-forth style of Apple's iChat and other instant messaging programs. Unlike the desktop version, load times are almost entirely gone, allowing freedom to manipulate the files with unprecedented speed.

I only have one minor critique: There is no option to see all tagged photos of an individual user. The aforementioned Photos option shows User A's personal albums and profile picture history, but if User B tags User A in a picture, it cannot be seen (unless User B is a mutual friend.)

However, that is only a minor hiccup in the wonderfully written program that is the Facebook Application for iPhone. I heartily recommend it as perhaps the best free application available.

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