The Android SDK for Facebook has benefited from a major update – now at version 3.5 – it brings Open Graph support, a revamped Share Dialog, Object API support, a redesigned login interface, and the launch of a feature to publish and measure app events.
According to the world’s most popular social network; over 70 percent of the top 100 grossing Android apps have Facebook implemented.
One of the biggest changes can be found in the enhanced Share Dialog; which can now post to the network without having to first log-in. These updates can then be customised in the new Facebook-style (e.g. *Fred Bloggs* watched *Batman Returns* on *Netflix*)
Another important addition is the ability to add and remove Open Graph objects via the platform’s Object API. The Open Graph protocol allows developers to integrate their pages into the social graph; which utilises the power of relationships to provide richer experiences.
On the looks side of things, Facebook hasn’t completely left out aesthetic upgrades. The new login user interface has reportedly driven a higher conversion rate; according to pre-launch testing. Now, the default text reads “Log in with Facebook” and can be used by devs without any code changes.
Analytics is important for developers to gauge an understanding of how their apps are performing; but they aren’t always easy to track. Sure you can see how many times an application has been downloaded, but what if you want to see how individual elements are being used?
Whilst Facebook’s solution is not a complete insight platform like Adeven’s, you can now go beyond the previous “installs driven by mobile ads” tracking previously. Through setting up app events, you can track the “aggregate number of times a predefined action was taken within your app.”
This important feature is exclusive to Android; whilst the other additions are simply playing catch-up to the iOS SDK which was released back in April.
Download the new SDK here.
What do you think about the latest additions to Facebook’s Android SDK?
