fBook: Facebook Available for G1 Android Phone

Social networking applications like Facebook and MySpace are essential applications for many smartphone users, particularly those who don't use a smartphone exclusively for business. Unfortunately, due to bad blood and hurt feeling between the folks at Facebook and Google, it seemed that the Facebook application was not likely to be made available for users of Android based smartphones. The good news is that a third party developer, Next Mobile Web, has stepped in to fill the gap with a Facebook application, called fBook, for the G1.



This is not an Android app developed by Facebook but is billed as a wrapper for the Facebook iPhone mobile application which resolves problems associated with the original program and will include features like photo uploading.

Competitors at MySpace were anxious to get established for Android powered phones and their application has been available through the fledgling Android market for weeks.

The source of the feud between Facebook and Google goes back over a year when Facebook cemented a major advertising partnership with Microsoft, essentially rejecting competing overtures from Google. Facebook also banned Google's Friend Connect application citing security concerns; however, competition seemed to be the real motivator. Google put its money behind MySpace and the battle was on. The whole drama, complete with name calling, is reminiscent of a bad soap opera or, dare we say it, a tiff that should have been played out in the pages of MySpace or Facebook.

The good news is that while the titans have battled for the hearts and minds of users, Next Mobile Web stepped in and delivered. It's clearly a win for the Android open source concept.

Check out our smartphone reviews as you're choosing up sides regarding the best device for you. And we've got plenty of non-confrontational blog posts for you:

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