Apple Extending Facebook Integration to iPhone OS?

[smiddlehurst]

Oh god, it's so bloody depressing to see how herd-like the internet geek is these days...

Look, Facebook isn't a good site with regards privacy, this is common knowledge if you read sites like this. But the simple facts are these:

1) A LOT of people use it, like it, don't care about the privacy issues and will find facebook integration (when done properly) very very useful.

2) No-one is forcing you to get a facebook account, if you don't want to use it then don't use it.

3) ALL companies are 'evil' and ALL social networks will try and sell your data. Do we all remember the massive cock-up Google made over Buzz and the clear message regarding privacy they've been sending for years now (i.e. we don't care)?

Facebook hate is just the current fad on the 'net, it'll go away soon enough when the next target rolls around. In the meantime it doesn't hurt to have that functionality built in (if that's what Apple chooses to do) so it really doesn't matter.

 

[VenusianSky]

Why are you here? You know this is a social network just like many others...

Really? This is the same as Facebook to you.

I don't post pictures of myself and friends here and I don't carry on personal conversations with people that are personal to me. Actually, I don't believe any of my friends even visit these forums. I come here to discuss Apple products. I really don't care that the Macrumor operators have access to such discussions. The information value of this site is greater than that.

 

[thecartoonguy]

They just released new MacBook Pros. You should check them out.

Also, if you read their SEC filings, you will be pleased to hear that Apple makes oodles of money selling computers. I'm talking LOTS of money. I'm a shareholder myself. You should also check this out.

Here is something you should check out- it's called sarcasm. Something I outlined in my post. But of course I will suggest you check it out first. Oh on a side note I work for Apple as a Mac Genius, so yea I have a wee bit more knowledge on the whole Apple thing.

 

[bludodge]

I wonder if this means that the day will come where there will be a facebook icon that I can't remove from the screen and have to shuffle it to the last page like I did the other icons for items I don't ever click on?

 

[JediZenMaster]

This is pretty cool i think facebook is here to stay and if they ever offer an IPO some people are going to be very rich.

It's to the point where i went on a job interview and the Recruiter handed me his Biz card and it had his facebook and twitter page listed on it.

 

[owen-b]

Apple are just playing catchup now. The integration of facebook, twitter etc in android blows the iphone os out the water.

Ah, bless. The naive young internet poster who thinks his opinion is the only one that counts

Not having Facebook 'integration' hasn't affected a single person I know who has an iPhone, which is many, many people. Anecdotal of course.

Apple can put Facebook integration into their OS if they like but if it does a single thing with a Facebook profile without permission, if a single FB-iPhone setting is activated by default out of the box, I would be hopping mad. I deactivated my profile months ago and given the recent privacy headlines I'm glad I'm already well out of it.

Zuckerberg sounds like a first class EXPLETIVE.

 

[Nebulance]

like a number of people have stated, who cares?

Let the people who want to use it, use it.

 

[cvaldes]

Here is something you should check out- it's called sarcasm. Something I outlined in my post. But of course I will suggest you check it out first. Oh on a side note I work for Apple as a Mac Genius, so yea I have a wee bit more knowledge on the whole Apple thing.

Er, you did not sarcasm mention in the post I responded to. Go back and reread your own post carefully.

Note that sarcasm doesn't always translate well in written communications. Throw in some smilies next time or the /sarcasm tag for clarity.

Have a nice day!

 

[nagromme]

I’ll try to think of this like the Finnish keyboard mode. Something I won’t turn on, so it can’t hurt me.

 

[kirky29]

If you don't have Facebook then it wont effect you, will it? If you do have Facebook but don't want it on the iPhone OS. Don't sign in...... Simple.

Having things built-in in my eyes is better than having to load an app for syncing contact pictures etc etc.

 

[Shintocam]

Many of the people on this site lost all ability to think critically or logically. 90% of the time they do not even read what they are replying to. They just see the headline and start ranting without any context.

Agreed. Heck if Arn put up a front page news item that was headlined "Microsoft Googles Adobe and Flashes Facebook" and had a bunch of random text as the body - we'd hit 1000 negative votes in a matter of minutes and have a bunch of people spouting off on nothing.....People read keywords and react.

 

[Shintocam]

I’ll try to think of this like the Finnish keyboard mode. Something I won’t turn on, so it can’t hurt me.

But on my iPhone the Finnish keyboard was the default. It stole my password and mailed it to thousands of random people. It then made a facebook account and put all my banking info on it. All that before I even bought the iPhone. Why is Apple doing this to me!

 

[tigress666]

Oh good. I always wanted Facebook's privacy clusterf* as an integrated part of the mobile OS.

Agreed. I like and use Facebook. And hell no do I want it integrated with my iphone! It's way too insecure! I would like to choose what I put on facebook, not have it have instant access to stuff on my iphone!

I hope htey have a way of disabling that.

 

[tigress666]

I really don't understand why this is getting such a negative response. I also don't understand how people can even assume this is not an optional setting. Of course it is!

AT&T/Apple is not going to require a Facebook account and password at the time of your activation! You don't need to use it if you're against it, but it's a feature that is there if you do want to use it. I probably will never use it, but I like the fact that Apple is adding functionality to the device.

I think what I'm paranoid about is that I do like to use Facebook. On my phone even.

But does this mean that now if I choose to use Facebook on my phone that FB will now have access to info on my phone?

I wouldn't mind if I just was able to keep using hte facebook app seperate from my iphone and not choose to use the integrated features (cause I don't trust that FB wouldn't find a way that way to pull your info off the phone. They've been known to do crap like that without telling you). But I wonder if apple puts this functionality in the OS itself if they will get rid of the app and say, "Why do you need it when the phone has integrated FB functionality?". And my answer, "Cause I don't trust any FB functionality that gives it access to my phone itself." (note they said sync FB contacts so I'm betting that means your info on friends is getting updated on FB as well).

 

[Rocketman]

Are they going to work with Zynga to convert all those silly games to HTML5? That way housewives can continue to waste time on Farmville and such but do it in style on an iPad.

The crowd awaits a response . . . . .

Rocketman

 

[stainlessliquid]

HIGHLY doubt this.

Facebook integration with the address book on the Pre and Android is very cool but I just dont see Apple doing that, its way too big of a step to add something like that, they are more about baby steps and lagging behind the competition.

Just look how stubborn they were with copy and paste and MMS, do people really think they are going to add a feature that auto populates an address book entry with just a phone number or email address from a third party service? Not going to happen.

 

[0098386]

Sounds like a great feature!

I noticed an advert for a phone, the poster had twitter, facebook, SMS, email comments all displayed in a single feed. I hope Facebook (and twitter) integration gets that good for the iPhone too. I'd like all my messages in one location.

 

[xerent]

The problem is that once iPhone OS and Facebook are integrated, the step from "If you have a Facebook account..." to "Facebook account is required, sign up easily here..." is small. As long as it's turned off by default, it won't bug me or activate on it's own. Knowing Facebook, that's just a matter of time before they choose to "improve" my life on my behalf.

 

[thecartoonguy]

Er, you did not sarcasm mention in the post I responded to. Go back and reread your own post carefully.

Note that sarcasm doesn't always translate well in written communications. Throw in some smilies next time or the /sarcasm tag for clarity.

Have a nice day!

I don't need to reread my own post when I know what I was saying. And what's this.....oh there was a inserted...... Anything else I need to explain again for you?

 

[Le Big Mac]

if you don't like it, don't use it. I'm sure it's optional.

That's how Facebook makes things seem as well.

 

[Jaro65]

If it wasn't for Facebook, I would have not met my brother. So while you may not want/use social networking. There are millions of people that use it everyday. It makes sense to make it part of the OS on a phone. And like other things, I am suse there will be a turn off button, but if you don't have an account with them, there is nothing to integrate.

The same thing happened to me, when I was contacted on Facebook by my long lost cousin. I agree: as long as there is an on/off button, I really don't care.

 

[cvaldes]

I don't need to reread my own post when I know what I was saying. And what's this.....oh there was a inserted...... Anything else I need to explain again for you?

Your original post has no smiley. Go reread your post.

Sigh.... Does Apple make computers any longer? Or am I the only one who is growing tired of the iPhone?

See any smiley? I don't.

You claim that you mention sarcasm, but I see nothing, neither in text nor in the form of a graphical element. You really need to brush up on your reading skills.

Good luck!

 

[Rocketman]

Google has stronger "opt-in" schemes than Apple typically uses. Apple tends to have a bit more class in this area. I hope they keep it that way and actually lean gently a bit more away from opt-in pressures.

Usually providing a strong benefit statement or list is sufficient for any feature worth having and rather than pressuring to opt-in, one could offer a "save for later" option on most things, so when ready one can review several offers for consideration (and payment) [many buyers have two deciders]. That would respect user time and choice while actually improving feature or advertiser uptake and sell-through.

Rocketman

A guy who knows the terms.

 

[thecartoonguy]

Your original post has no smiley. Go reread your post.



See any smiley? I don't.

You claim that you mention sarcasm, but I see nothing, neither in text nor in the form of a graphical element. You really need to brush up on your reading skills.

Good luck!

Really?? You did not see the in the last one? I saw it twice. So perhaps you are the one needs to brush up. Just so you won't miss them again..... I have a Ph.D and write quite well. What do you offer, other than making yourself appear foolish?

 

[Doctor Q]

Maybe they should work on diaspora integration instead.

The Diaspora project just hit a funding milestone. We'll see.