Smartphone + Facebook = Genius

It was Andrew Grove who said that “A fundamental rule in technology says that whatever can be done will be done.” In all reality, man aspires to have every desire of his heart at the touch of his fingertips. It’s practical, it’s useful, and it’s convenient. One such technology that has become easily accessible over the past couple of years comes with the ability to communicate through Facebook on your phone. BlackBerry has created a Facebook application that has allowed for a new type of cellular communication, in which the user interacts with their phone just as much as they interact with other Facebook users. I will demonstrate here how the creation of this software has brought us closer to real life voiceless communication via a cellular device.

Mark Slee, a Facebook engineer, wrote “Facebook was invented to make sharing information with your friends easier and better. Mobile phones were invented for pretty much the same reason.” His blog goes on to introduce three new phone functions for Facebook: Mobile Uploads, Mobile Texts, and Mobile Web. That was on January 10th of 2007. On October 24, 2007, Research in Motion, the creators of the BlackBerry, introduced the ‘Facebook for BlackBerry smartphones’ application. Applications are devices that you can download from Facebook. They are typically not created by Facebook, but instead by other developers, such as Research in Motion. The application created by Research in Motion is in many ways more advanced that the Mobile Web that became available in early 2007. The Mobile Web enabled it’s users to navigate through Facebook similar to the way they would on a computer while being set to fit on the cellular screen. The only problem is that it seemingly took users back even further than the dial-up age, with the pages loading at speeds that are almost obnoxious. So what could BlackBerry do to make their software any better than what was already available to all cellular phone owners?

The BlackBerry software uses technology that makes each command nearly instant, resulting in what seems like real-time communication. The display has seven functions lined along the top. These include View Status Updates, Upload a Photo, View Friend List, Invite a Friend, Poke Someone, Write on a Wall, and Send a Message. The user rolls along the icons that represent each function, selecting the one that meets their needs. The rolling also exhibits a clicking sound, giving the user a sense of direction and accomplishment with each move they make over the functions. The title of each function is self-explanatory in its purpose, and the incredible thing behind these functions is the instantaneousness of them. When a user hits ‘Write on a Wall’ they are immediately prompted to begin typing the friend’s name that they wish to communicate with. When they hit the ‘A’ key a list forms, starting with “Abby, Adrienne, Alanna, Alex…” The user can continue to type the name, or scroll to select the person they wish to write to. The BlackBerry keyboard then enables the experienced user to type a message almost as quickly as they could speak it. They hit ‘Post’ and then their job is done. The immediateness of the software brings the user much closer to reality. What else about this software might bring a user closer to a real-life experience?

‘Send a Message’ functions with the same method as ‘Write on a Wall’, also almost instantaneous. ‘Send a Message’ is arguably similar to text messaging, except that the user has an unlimited amount of space to type in, and their message is delivered with their picture, giving the receiver some visualization of the originating author, as is with face-to-face communication. Another popular function, ‘Poke Someone’ adds a sense of physical touch to the communication experience. Again, this function is almost immediate. This function is also very unique, how many other handheld devices allow their users to commit actions towards other users? ‘View Status Updates’ also has a very real experience involved. Upon selecting that function a user sees every status update, instantaneously, from every friend that they have on Facebook. The query also displays how long ago the update was made. This function is often used in communication. In my own experience, I was at Wal-Mart shopping for a DVD player. I had no idea what a Blu-ray was, and I updated my status as to that effect, requesting to be informed. Within a few minutes seven people had replied and kindly informed me what it was and how it’s a waste of money. Needless to say, I left the store without a Blu-ray player. Another function that a user could easily access in such a situation is ‘Upload a Photo’. In another shopping experience I fell in love with a pricey rug. I photographed it with my BlackBerry and used the Facebook software to promptly upload it and requested opinions. I was again talked out of purchasing an item, by multiple people in the span of just a few minutes. So not only does this software provide real-time communication, but it saves me money!

When it comes to providing cellular phone users with a real-time and realistic experience, the BlackBerry surfaces as a spearhead in voiceless communication. The BlackBerry/Facebook software appeals to multiple senses. This allows the user to be consumed into another world where they can utilize their every ability minus smell (which very well could be a positive thing in some cases, especially when communicating with such a large population). The user never has to speak, but they still face such a reality of people communicating with them in different methods with this one tool. I’m in agreement with Andrew Grove in saying that I believe this tool will continue to grow in both use and ability, and that it is a big step towards a hand-held voiceless reality.