Facebook tonight announced that it's launching App Center, a feature that it says will help users to find new mobile and web apps that can be used with their friends. The App Center will only contain "high-quality apps," a measurement that's decided based on feedback from users, and will offer personalized app recommendations and show you which apps your friends use. App Center will be found inside the Facebook app for both Android and iOS and on the Facebook website. Once you wade through the ratings and recommendations and find an app that you want to install, you'll be sent to your platform's respective app store to download. Users can also send a download link to their phone if they're browsing from the Facebook site. App Center will begin rolling out to users tonight and will feature over 600 apps initially, and Facebook anticipates that the feature will hit everyone in the coming weeks.
Facebook's App Center actually surfaced a little early in one user's iOS Facebook app today, but considering that the feature is now official, that appearance doesn't seem like a huge deal. As for the App Center itself, it looks like an interesting way for users to find new apps, and while there are already other methods of doing that, obviously Facebook would like to recommend apps that utilize the social networking service to help tie folks into it even further than they already may be. If you'd like to check out the App Center for yourself, head on over to facebook.com/appcenter or fire up your iOS/Android Facebook app to see if it's live for you. Facebook's App Center announcement is below.
App Center: A New Place to Find Social Apps
June 07, 2012
By Matt Wyndowe
Today we're launching the App Center to make it easier to find apps you can enjoy with friends.
The App Center features mobile and web apps, such as Draw Something, Pinterest, and Nike+ GPS, and new apps including Jetpack Joyride, Ghosts of Mistwood, and Ghost Recon Commander.
Discover the best apps for you
The App Center gives you personalized recommendations, and lets you browse the apps your friends use. It only lists high-quality apps, based on feedback from people who use the app.
Install mobile apps
To make it easier to find social apps for mobile, the App Center is available in the Facebook iOS and Android apps, as well as Facebook.com.
You can send apps you find on your computer to your mobile device using the new “Send to Mobile” feature. If a mobile app requires a download, you’ll be sent to install it from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Easily preview apps
Every app in the App Center has screenshots and a detailed description, so you can learn more about it before installing it. It helps you control your privacy by showing the information an app needs and letting you choose who can see your activity on Facebook. If you decide you want to use an app, you can get started directly from the App Center.
Get started
The App Center will begin rolling out to people in the U.S. today, with more than 600 apps. It will be available to everyone in the coming weeks.
