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Friendcaster or just Facebook?
- Thread starter vlasveld
- Start date
HJAcevedo
Well-Known Member
I've always used the FB app. Although at first it was horrible, recent updates have really brought it up to snuff.
As to which is better-- I'd say FB app. I used friendscaster and I just didn't like it too much, even when the FB app was a pile of shit left on the sidewalk of a busy city street on the hottest day midsummer. I just felt as if the official FB app seemed more appropriate. YMMV
As to which is better-- I'd say FB app. I used friendscaster and I just didn't like it too much, even when the FB app was a pile of shit left on the sidewalk of a busy city street on the hottest day midsummer. I just felt as if the official FB app seemed more appropriate. YMMV
bigbabys
Android Enthusiast
I use both. I use Friendcaster for my notifications and the facebook app for facebook browsing. Here is my take on them both.
Friendcaster - Was great for a while, but lately I have found it to be very very slow compared to the official app. Also the official app has had some major upgrades lately that make it better than Friendcaster in my opinion. That being said, the ability of Friendcaster to notify you based off of your incoming emails with gmail (and even archive/delete them automatically!) is too important of a feature to me. Thats why I still have friendcaster installed.
Facebook official - What used to be a buggy piece of garbage is now actually quite nice. I have very few issues with it and I find it snappy and good looking. It seems to have some pretty inconsistent notifications still however, and for this reason I keep Friendcaster around for "true" push notifications and management of my email (I hate deleting 100 emails about a status update I commented on!)
Friendcaster - Was great for a while, but lately I have found it to be very very slow compared to the official app. Also the official app has had some major upgrades lately that make it better than Friendcaster in my opinion. That being said, the ability of Friendcaster to notify you based off of your incoming emails with gmail (and even archive/delete them automatically!) is too important of a feature to me. Thats why I still have friendcaster installed.
Facebook official - What used to be a buggy piece of garbage is now actually quite nice. I have very few issues with it and I find it snappy and good looking. It seems to have some pretty inconsistent notifications still however, and for this reason I keep Friendcaster around for "true" push notifications and management of my email (I hate deleting 100 emails about a status update I commented on!)
Stuntman
Android Expert
Ditto.
Rush
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The Facebook for android application seems a lot better & more realistic than any other. And even though lacking a few minor features _ nonetheless the better way to go. For push notification _ follow this link http://androidforums.com/android-ap...-notification-fix-try-these-simple-steps.html... This is a fix for push notification on our android devices when using the FB app. I would love for this link to be known to other Facebook users who are looking for a way to get "push notification" to their phones when using the FB for Android App.
Unfortunately _ not yet, but the app developer had mentioned that it would be implemented in an upcoming update.
AngryHatter
Android Expert
FC was good for using my pages other than my profile. But that was its only advantage.
chanchan05
The Doctor
I used to use FC exclusively, as the old FB app was just real slow. Now after the last update, they're about as fast as each other (OK FC is still a bit faster), but FC now for some reasons have certain problems with some of my contacts, being unable to show their status updates or let me comment. So went with FB.
ClubSteeler
Well-Known Member
I prefer FB. I simply loged on with a PC and set up SMS and Gmail notifications, so if I want a notification, I will get it on my phone one way or another.
surlypoker
Well-Known Member
Ehhh whatever.. Unbelievably far fetched... Ill give it a shot.. Hate that i dont get fb notis quick like iphone users...
Mark LaFlamme
Newbie
The FB app was fine in the way it worked on my Optimus V. However, it doesn't play well with Google contacts. Every time I tried to add a new contact or even just change display settings, I'd get the dreaded process.acore, force close error. Tried a hundred different things to get around it without success. Finally ditched it for Friendcaster which, as far as I can tell, does pretty much everything FB could do. And as someone mentioned above, it has a much smaller footprint. I haven't seen any significant impact on battery yet. I'll be keeping an eye on that for sure.
I HATE HATE HATE the FB for the simple reason that it always runs a 30MB service in the background. A content uploading service and it just sits there. Can't stand that.
FC is simple, doesn't do that, and once i exit it the service quits. That's what I like.
Simple and elegant.
Eric Chomier
Newbie
I don't think there is much of a difference to note. I have used many similar apps and to my mind, the batter usage is almost the same. What is your opinion guys?
Mark LaFlamme
Newbie
I think the battery usage in both cases comes down to your settings; what you're syncing and how often. I never had a problem with the FB app as far as battery goes. It was all those other things. With Friencaster, I'm not sure. Seems to suck a little more battery, but it could be other things. I'm trying to deduce all that. I like Friendcaster as a replacement for the other. Hope it works out.
True, but FB is push only. it doesn't allow for polling updates and add to that the running services in the background. FC lets you set periodic updates and it has no service in the background. I have mine set to 4 hours.
no battery usage there.
Mark LaFlamme
Newbie
That's where I'm confused. Are you using the pro version? Because I don't seem to have the option to set the polling period. Think I heard the default is 15 minutes, which will obviously sap the battery. Right now, I'm using the last option, C2DM. I don't have any idea what that is, but it's the recommended setting.
It's in there. It's under notification settings i think? I set mine to 4 hours since I'm not a huge Facebook user - hence why the running services from the FB app really chap my a$$.
I just using polling since, like you, i have no clue what C2DM is.
Mark LaFlamme
Newbie
Checking frequency, under notifications settings. By God, you're right. I'll give that a try. Could be the final piece of the puzzle. Thanks.
Mark LaFlamme
Newbie
Really? It sounded a bit confusing. I use gmail, maybe I'll give that a shot.
bigbabys
Android Enthusiast
Basically what it does is when you get an email, it checks if that email is one of those facebook alert emails. If it is, it gives you the cooresponding alert. It also has an option to either automatically archive the email, or delete it, after the notification.
If you want it to notify you about likes and pokes however, you will still need to have polling enabled.
Works perfect for me. Not more clutter in my inbox, and push notifications from facebook
Basically what it does is when you get an email, it checks if that email is one of those facebook alert emails. If it is, it gives you the cooresponding alert. It also has an option to either automatically archive the email, or delete it, after the notification.
If you want it to notify you about likes and pokes however, you will still need to have polling enabled.
Works perfect for me. Not more clutter in my inbox, and push notifications from facebook
Good call and I like what you've explained. But since i only have it poll every 4 hours I figure that's pretty easy on battery life.
However, if I end up wanting quicker notifications, bet I will use this..