If you love both Facebook and Adobe AIR, then you're going to love these three new AIR apps for your desktop: Facedesk, Zebr, and Flair. Facedesk is a standalone application that lets you use Facebook without having a browser window open. Both Zebr and Flair are notification programs for receiving alerts about Facebook status updates, wall posts, messages, and more. The last two are a bit more useful, but true Facebook addicts might want to try all three.
For those who always have Facebook in a browser tab, the Facedesk application may hold some appeal. Essentially, this AIR app does nothing more than take the Facebook web site and place it into an Adobe AIR app. However, with Facedesk outside the browser, you can easily switch to it via Alt+Tab in Windows or Cmd+Tab on Mac. Beyond that, there isn't much to the application, but it was fun to check out nonetheless.
The more useful of the two Facebook AIR apps is definitely Zebr. This AIR app reminds me of Twhirl for Facebook status updates. From Zebr, you can keep tabs on your friends' status changes as well as update your own. In addition, the app also keeps you updated on incoming messages and wall posts. When you're not using it, you can minimize Zebr to your system tray to keep it out of the way - alerts will still display as they come in. Zebr is available from their application page on Facebook.
Flair, like Zebr, is an app that keeps you in touch with your Facebook friends throughout the day without you having to login to the web site. Flair will alert you when you're poked, someone writes on your wall, or adds you as a friend. However, unlike Zebr, you are not alerted to friends status' updates. Although Flair does alert you to various items, in order to interact with Facebook - like, for example, to add new friends - you'll still need to login to the Facebook web site. Flair also minimizes to the system tray when not in use.
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I've been waiting for these. Been expected them much earlier. In my opinion. the whole web will be heading towards RIA. Saw the video about Mozilla branching into almost space age technology with the new Aurora. Screw surfing the net... make the net come to you. Air apps has shown huge traction. Great product!
These are somewhat still lacking. I;m looking for total integration, something i think only facebook can produce.
Nice post.
Posted by: Foxinni | August 8, 2008 7:40 AM
I'm telling ya, Facebook is the true twitter-for-the-masses.
Posted by: Q dub
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August 8, 2008 7:55 AM
You're right, facebook is more popular than twitter, and your status can be updated via twitter if you wish...
The first app is a fake !
Posted by: Jean-Sébastien Mansart | August 8, 2008 7:59 AM
@Jean-Sebastien: It may not be the greatest app, but it's not a fake. I tried it myself. It's also listed here on Adobe's site: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm?event=extensionDetail&loc=en_us&extid=1571518
Posted by: Sarah Perez
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August 8, 2008 8:48 AM
Wow... I'm famous, or is it infamous? You can see me on the Zebr screen shot. Whoda thunk when I said there was too much blood in my caffeine system that it would make for a screen shot? :) Thanks!
Posted by: TheBisch | August 8, 2008 10:47 AM
I'm a little surprised Twhirl hasn't added Facebook to it's list of supported sites yet, at least in the form of status updates.
Posted by: David | August 9, 2008 7:20 AM
Facebook sucks balls, someone please kill it
Posted by: 6pack Abs | August 9, 2008 5:48 PM
Been looking for something like this. Thanks!
Posted by: Brian Dusablon | August 20, 2008 2:50 PM