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SPECULATION IS GROWING that Facebook may be planning to introduce a ‘Want’ feature alongside its ‘Like’ button.
A UK developer has discovered lines buried in the social network’s code that appear to provide for the new button, which could allow users to share a wishlist of products or services.
Rumours of the ‘Want’ feature have been circulating for some time, but have gained substance after programmer Tom Waddington published his findings.
He said the code is disabled for full use, but does display this button:
DigitalTimes.ie suggests that the new button could provide a new revenue model for Facebook, as it allows users to express their feelings in a “purely commercial context” and would be a valuable tool for advertisers.
In an update to his post, Waddington says that Facebook have now removed the code from their software development kit, but the functionality remains.
The news comes amid reports that the social network is trying to do more to earn money from its existing Like button.
According to the New York Post, the company is examining the possibility of hosting video content from TV stations and giving information from user Likes to advertisers.
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Anyone else notice how the iPhone and android Facebook apps get slower and more unstable with every release?
I just use the browser for fb on my phone. Waaay faster!
I can’t use Facebook on my laptop because it’s so slow. Everything else works perfect on it. I find the iPhone app way faster. as for another button, nah don’t want it.
Dont want
What kind of idiot would use a “want” button? And as for the “like” one, I use it but I’m not entirely sure what it does (other than obviously expressing the obvious to the person who posted an item) – does it trigger something that I should be aware of? I don’t trust FB.
Don’t use it then?
Yep. The Like button sets in motion a whole marketing machine that will cause things you said you liked and related items to be presented in front of you on your screen in the hope that you’ll buy them. Don’t under estimate the power of the machine either …. it’s far reaching and digs deep to get you to buy things.
@patrick. Yes there is a ploy to try and sell u stuff, but like a bad programme on tv, u have a thing called choice (also called a remote control) I can honestly say I’ve never been persuaded to buy anything via adverts in FB
As Pat Shortt would say: “ya may as well open the door, let them in and make tae for them…..now ya caaaaant be doin that now lads”
Can we have a dislike button (instead of a ‘Want’ button) for the thumbs down crowd, they would have a blast with it.
lol That’s probably true. Although I think the reason why there’s no dislike button is that if facilitates bullying and unpleasantness.
..but we would know who they are, the little feckers.
Actually, you’re right. It would be good to know who red thumbed certain comments. It’s baffling at times.
DO NOT WANT
Judging by how Facebook has been so integrated in our culture and having the new iPhone or new Footlocker runners has become the only gateway to achieving a higher a ‘status symbol’ for such a long time now, I think Jimmy Carter’s words apply even more today:
“Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we’ve discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning. We’ve learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose.”
I’m not sure about this Daniel. I agree we’re living in a material world, (as the girl says), but I actually believe, that technology, and applications SUCH as Facebook are actually a force for a deeper good than we generally give them credit for. Technology has opened us up the communication lines between us in ways that we couldn’t have even imagined 20 years ago. I’d believe that the more we communicate with each other and get to know each other the better it is for the collective human soul. I’ve seen some fantastic collaboration projects online that really do fill me with warm fuzzy positive feelings. Technology gives us all a voice and actually can be VERY empowering for most members of society, (who are, of course, lucky to have access to it!)
**BREAKING NEWS** – Facebook have abandoned all tracking and marketing code/tools on their soon-to-be ad free website and have revealed their new pricing strategy:
Reading status updates – E0.05 per update
Uploading photos – E0.10 per photo per year
Having a Facebook account E100 per year
It’s a cliched meme at this stage – but if you’re not paying for a service like this, then you’re not the customer, you’re the product. Accept and move on; it’s a bloody great tool, and they have to make loadsa money from it before the Next Big Thing.
It’s not the only bloody great tool. lol
My thoughts exactly Eoin! Well said.
Big brother is alive and well and living among us!
does this mean that in years to come when you log into facebook you will be getting messages from sales people trying to sell you things you want such as a mini cooper should you press the want button?
have your say