Facebook Launches App Center With Over 600 Apps

Mattygfunk1 writes "Facebook is following the leader and launching its own app store. The move is intended to encourage longer browsing sessions from users and attract attention from software developers, in addition to allowing more personalized advertising. 'Each app will generally allow the user to install it as a Facebook application. However, a "send to mobile" will also appear if the app has a mobile app from either the Apple iOS App Store or else the Google Play store. In either case, the app can be sent to a user's phone and can be installed there.' It's currently only available in the U.S., with more countries to follow in the coming weeks."

Let me be one of the firsts to say

[Anonymous Coward]

No Thanks...

"The White Album"

[Fishbulb]

The way things are going, buying Angry Birds on every new platform is going to be the "buy the White Album again" of the app generation.

Facebook Fone?

[Metabolife]

This could be the first step to fb making a smartphone for dumb people.

i'm psyched!

[Anonymous Coward]

I can't wait to run applications provided by an organization whose entire purpose is to collect every possible bit of data about me and sell it to others. I'm eagerly looking forward to the experience of needing an internet connection for my computer to do things that it's always been able to do on its own before.

Even better, it's gonna be awesome that I now need Facebook's permission to run those applications, each and every time I want to.

Man! I'm psyched for this. Hope you guys are too!

so this is what is happening

[berashith]

I tried to read an article from wall street journal, and I get a damn pop-up telling me that I am able to install their facebook reader app. As I wasnt sure why I couldnt just read the article at wsj.com using my "browser app" I just closed the tab and went on with my life. I am pretty sure I didnt lose out on much. If they really want me to share with my friends, I will, as long as the article is something I feel like sharing and discussing. Just because I look at something doesnt mean that it should be publicized and tracked.

Re:Let me be one of the firsts to say

[gatfirls]

You definitely aren't the first and you surely won't be the last. There always seems to be a peak in any website where the features are user driven and then the features are marketing driven. Facebook hit that point a while back and have been alienating their user base ever since.

The anti-Java

[Anonymous Coward]

All these app systems, walled gardens, whatever. It's sort of an anti-Java philosophy: Write everywhere. Run nowhere.

There's room for one, maybe two or 3 at best. It's just like when Atari and Commodore were big home machines. Maybe you can port to two, and then you're done. The long tail of platforms isn't worth it. Welcome to no. 3 at best, FB.