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Facebook for Android version 1.9.7 is out

New version of native mobile app lets you use your phone's front-facing camera.

Emil Protalinski
2 min read

Facebook today updated its native Android mobile app. You can grab version 1.9.7 now from the Google Play store.

Here is the official change-log for Facebook for Android version 1.9.7:

  • Facebook for Android 1.9.7 requires Android 2.2 and up.
  • A front-facing camera makes it easier to take photos.
  • New messaging features let you switch between conversations, include friends of friends, share bigger photos, and see who's available.
  • Various bug fixes.
  • Made a security improvement.
  • Faster app login and navigation.

The first point isn't too surprising given that Froyo is still a very widely used Android version. The second point is a neat addition, although one has to wonder why it wasn't there in the first place. I would wager that this has something to do with the various different types of front-facing cameras on Android devices. I can see this addition resulting in way too many self-shot pictures showing up in people's News Feeds. The remaining points are all pretty much self-explanatory.

Facebook for Android 1.9 was released less than three months ago with messaging features like creating group messages and adding friends to existing group conversations, as well as shortcuts to share photos and messages right from your home screen. It has since been updated a few times, always with the usual bug fixes and performance improvements.

Menlo Park is likely simultaneously working on Facebook for Android version 2.0. After all, big things are coming.