Facebook for Android SDK updated to be more in line with the iOS counterpart

Facebook has updated its SDK for Android to bring it more in line with the iOS version. The major update is bringing along with it some major improvements for developers and is already available via Facebook’s Android Dev Center right now.

Facebook confirmed to TechCrunch that the features that are now being made available to the Android SDK were already available to iOS developers. In a blog post announcing the changes, Chris Lang from Facebook wrote that the update is bringing along products promised for the SDK back in April. The SDK for Android now includes Share Dialog and support for the Object API as well as the ability to implement Open Graph on mobile easily. Lang assured that Facebook’s aim was to help developers build great apps on any device and platform. About 73 percent of the top 100 grossing Android apps integrate with Facebook and the release of the new SDK will probably see more apps integrating with Facebook.

Better sharing with the updated SDK

The Share Dialog is one of the most important updates to the Android SDK and will eliminate at least three extra steps required to log in to Facebook before being able to share via the feed dialog. With one line of code, developers will be able to enable users to share as well as tag friends in it. Additionally, the Dialog will include support for publishing Open Graph actions, which will make it easier for people to posts stories.

The SDK is also bringing along a much improved Facebook Login UI that not only looks better but also converts at a higher rate. The LoginButton now looks different and the default text reads “Log in with Facebook”. Developers will be able to use the redesigned UI without needing to rewrite any codes. Of course, they can still override the default text on the LoginButton via localisation. Facebook has also announced support for Object API, the tool that makes it easier to integrate Open Graph into Android apps. Developers will no longer need to host webpages with Open Graph tags and will be able to create Open Graph objects directly.

New LoginButton!

With the Android SDK, Facebook is launching in beta the option of publishing and measuring app events for applications. Developers will be able to get a lot more accurate understanding of how their app is performing with the trial insights and targeting feature. This is a huge leap from being only able to measure the number of installs that stemmed from advertising on mobiles. “With app events, you can now also measure the aggregate number of times a predefined action was taken within your app, such as 'add to cart' in a commerce app, 'level achieved' in a game, or other custom events that help you understand the engagement and ROI coming from your mobile ads on Facebook,” wrote Lang. “Over the next several months, we will be working on improving our optimization and insights and developing new features that will further leverage app events.”

Also added is an App User ID for custom audiences. Developers will be able to reach people who have installed or purchased their app by defining the ID and uploading this encrypted list onto Facebook’s ad tool as custom audience. This will be a great new addition for developers who have apps that run mobile app install ads.

You can download the updated Facebook for Android SDK here.

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YouTube for iOS updated with picture-in-picture feature

After updating its app for Android devices, YouTube has rolled out an update yesterday for its iOS users too.

The updated YouTube app for iOS devices allows users to continue exploring videos throughout even as they continue to watch a video. With a swipe of a finger, users can move the video to the bottom of their screen if they want to explore videos at the same time. They can always go back to viewing the video in full screen by swiping up. To dismiss the video, swipe right or left. 

Screenshots of the updated app

Once they’ve updated the app, users can search and browse channels for playlists, and also watch back-to-back videos. Google has also introduced nifty tweaks to the existing Cast button on the YouTube app. The functionality allows users to send YouTube videos from their phone or tablet to their connected TV, and now they’ll be able to view a preview screen when their devices are connected. Users can select a video and opt to queue up the video to watch it next. 

The updated YouTube iOS app is up for grabs on the App Store. This app is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation), iPod touch (5th generation) and iPad devices. To be able to use this app, users will require devices running iOS 6.0 or later. This app is optimised for iPhone 5. 

The YouTube Android app was updated to include a whole bunch of new features including a refreshed UI. The application now features the new card-based UI that lends it a more slick appeal. Users can open the guide from anywhere in the app if they want to quickly view their subscriptions and feeds. Just tap on the sideways arrow at the top of the app at any time.

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