Facebook mobile app gets major update

Facebook says it’s taken another step forward in enriching its mobile experience with major updates to both the Android and iPhone Facebook applications.

The Android 1.4 update includes the launch of Places and Groups and following the recent launch of Groups on Facebook.com, users can now access those same groups from their Android phones.

Also included in the Android update is a refresh to the notifications application. “Clicking on a notification now won't send you off to the browser,” explains Erick Tseng, Head of Mobile Products at Facebook. “Instead, as long as that notification has an appropriate destination within the application itself, you will be taken there. “

Places for iPhone already lets you share where you are and find nearby friends but the iPhone update now adds the option to find nearby deals from businesses such as restaurants and retailers.

“Deals are only available from Places in the US, for now, and we'll be expanding them to more merchants over time,” Tseng noted.

Places has been updated to include a starred friends list, making it easier to tag friends with whom you frequently check-in with. Groups, as well as a new composer to make checking in and posting photos faster and more clear, is also included in the update.

That's all great but we’re still waiting for the Places feature to be rolled out in New Zealand.