Facebook
on Thursday launched a new feature that automatically provides tips
about places where members of the social network might be, potentially
challenging review websites like Yelp.
“Place
tips will show you fun, useful and relevant info about the place you’re
at,” Facebook product manager Mike LeBeau said of the capability making
its debut on the version of the social networking application tailored
for iPhones.
The
new feature could pose a challenge to crowd-sourced review service Yelp
by giving people the option of seeking the opinions of friends
regarding restaurants, hotels, and other venues.
GPS
tools in smartphones coupled with Wi-Fi and cellular carrier signal
information provide an idea where people are, then Facebook sends
prompts in the form of icons atop News Feeds.
Tapping
Place Tip icons serves up information such as comments or photos about
the place by friends at the social network and details or event listing
from Facebook business pages if any exist regarding the spot.
Facebook
users need to give permission for the application to known their
location, and diving into tips does not post anything to the social
network or reveal locations to others, according to LeBeau.
Place
Tips will debut in coming weeks with test runs at busy places in New
York City including Central Park; Times Square; the Brooklyn Bridge, and
the Statue of Liberty.
Facebook
is also testing synching Place Tips to beacons that use Bluetooth
signals to sense when smartphones are in range at places such as The
Metropolitan Museum or Art, Dominique Ansel Bakery, and the burger joint
at Le Parker Meridien Hotel.
Posted by : Gizmeon
No comments:
Post a Comment