Facebook app now available for Zune HD (update: it's also broken)
By Paul Miller 
posted March 1st 2010 10:19PM
posted March 1st 2010 10:19PM
Update: So we just got a chance to download and play with the app a little -- and just like the Twitter app, things don't seem to be quite fully baked at launch. We couldn't get anything of the tabs to load apart from our personal photos, and there wasn't any confirmation when we sent in a Zune music status update -- although it did show up on Facebook, so it obviously worked. The photo viewer lets you leave comments, but you can't pinch-to-zoom -- or zoom at all, actually. We're sure Zune HD owners will be happy -- it's free, after all -- but we're going to assume Microsoft and Facebook have something far better planned for Windows Phone 7 Series.
Update 2: It's not just us -- the official Zune Twitter account confirms that the Facebook app is "experiencing some issues accessing data." We'll let you kow if we hear anything else.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
I find it hilarious that this is breaking news.
@mattscinto
It IS "breaking" the very concept of what actual news is.
@mattscinto it is only hilarious because anyone that surfs the web let alone uses facebook from their zune is pretty darn funny.
@mattscinto
damn right, because the zuneHD is that good
@emopoops I don't get it, have you even used the Zune HD? The browser is fantastic and the multitouch is superb. Screen rotation, pixel density, and picture quality trump the iPod Touch. The Facebook app is also very well done. So I personally would use it for both of those purposes.
@mattscinto I find it hilarious that you completely abandoned your youtube videos. If you're the matt scinto I'm thinking of anyway.
@williamtsims I am, and I've started making them again :)
@mattscinto
Hell yes! I was a first adopter of the 32GB Zune HD and I have to say it is an overall OUTSTANDING device. The UI is robust, the hardware is durable (no case and no scratches!), the screen is crisp, the sound is full. It is definitely designed for the music lover. The only complaint I have with it is the lack of apps and the internet browser sucks compared to an iPod touch. But every new app that comes out, I have become a little more satisfied with this already great device. 9.5 and growing out of 10 for Microsoft on this one.
@emopoops dude you troll engadget hardcore.
ITS HIDEOUS
@ScienceProUSAcom
Sorry, but are you kidding me? I love my 32g ZuneHD for music and videos (it's the best pure PMP in the market, imo), but the browser and wifi marketplace are pathetic. Luckily I have a Pre, so I can just use its browser when I'm on the go or about the house, because anyone buying the ZuneHD for its browser is in for severe buyer's remorse.
@mattscinto
It Is hilarious!! We were waiting all this time for this simple (and broken) app. They didn't even fixed support for hidden ssid networks. They didn't even release 2-3 other apps or games. Just that.
@cherryboom
"The REAL work has ben done by Apple and now all the johnny come lately have to do is order up some parts from an Asian vendor, apply a flashy UI and bam!"
Ummm, if I recall correctly iPods are made by Asian vendors (with child labor BTW) and have relied heavily on their "flashy UI" for their success.
@marknichelson
FYI foxconn (the child labor company) also makes Xbox 360's. The difference is Apple cares where it's money goes which is why the ran the audit in the first place.
Let me repeat myself so you remember this time, Apple ran the audit not the government or a 3rd party. Apple knows it is paying for legal labor and they wan to know that they are getting what they pay for
@godsAngryTesticles
lolz
@Schmitty Sorry to hear that dude. Must have been a lonely world.
@ScienceProUSAcom First off the browser is slow, very very slow. even when loading from a 802.11n signal.
Second: the Marketplace is 100% pointless unless you want to show off the graphical fidelity of your zune. Microsoft does not allow indipendent application development and windows 7 phones pretty much sealed the Zune's fate.
Other than those issues, the UI works well, its got great battery life, and has a beautiful screen.
@Captain Underpants and the Bring
I agree the browser is slow and the keyboard I don't really like unless in landscape. However, I think WP7S is great for the Zune HD because there is likely to be a firmware update that will make the Zune HD similar to WP7S, like how the iPhone and iPod Touch are.
The device is capable and I think Microsoft is getting really serious about the cohesiveness of their products.
@mattscinto He sure does it is ridiculous how much he trolls
@Captain Underpants and the Bring Other than those issues, that is basically everything. Sounds like you are making excuses to be fair.
@mattscinto How true
Easier to wait until facebook "upgrades" again, further burying often-used functionality and make it even more annoying and less intuitive to use. They've been getting better at making it worse to use for the past few years... let's see how much worse they can make it before they kill it completely.
It's sad how they generally also screw up the iPhone or other portable device versions shortly after their main site update as well.
@paul34
Someone please tell me why this app is better than Android's.
Please.
And not just because the Zune HD is awesome.
@rarrk The official android app isn't even that good. It lacks essential features found in the iPhones app. However, there are 3rd party apps that pick up the slack, such as Babbler.
@B3astofthe3ast
The WinMo app is horrid as well. They recently did an update which makes it a little better, but not nearly as fluid as the iPhone app.
Second!
It doesn't appear to be loading anything from my profile...
@soren121
Works fine for me...double check your Application settings on Facebook to make sure the app has full permissions.
@ScienceProUSAcom Has all its permissions enabled, still doesn't work. I'm hoping this is the fault of FB's CDNs and not the app.
@soren121
Facebook is generally broken and/or really slow. It's probably not your fault. The only popular site run by more incompetent people is YouTube. Seems you have to come in very late at night to get decent speeds on youtube.
@paul34 If the app can't get anything in 15+ minutes, then either FB's sysadmins need to be given more money or they need to be fired.
@paul34
No, that's just your connection.
@soren121 I'm still not getting anything either. The only thing that loads for me is my very basic information, and my albums I uploaded. nothing on the news feed, status updates, or photos loads. My wall does not load either.
@hopskipnfall I'm getting that same issue. I wonder what the problem is.
@soren121
Mine is not loading anything either.
@Jeff
Nope. Everything else on the web will load fine. pings to google come back in the right latency range.
@paul34 same here. web works fine but Facebook doesn't work at all. i can log in and thats about it. Morbo is displeased!
@paul34
I have no idea what you're talking about. I have not seen a single thing "broken" on Facebook, nor is Facebook or Youtube slow at all.
Now all we need is the Spring update with Xvid support and Smart DJ! I'm glad the Zune team came through with this, it's a very slick and polished app.
LOL, breaking news? I didn't even know the zune HD had been released, xD
@EnergyPigeon
Wow, you must be living in a cave :)
This thing almost won PMP of the year for pete's sake. It may not have the volume of the iPod, but it's definitely made a splash in the market. I for one generally grab my 32GB Zune HD over my iPod Touch since it’s much lighter and has a way better UI, it’s just more of a pleasure to use. Not to mention the screen kicks ass.
@ScienceProUSAcom Almost won PMP of the year lol so what won PMP of the year and how did you know they almost won? What was the numbers I would love to know
haha, i was one of those who tipped engadget. :D i'll download it later after i finsih my project. >__>
@koolerz1569
As was I :) I think everybody jumped all over this one lol
Video anyone?
thanks downloading now
@Murkurie
Anyone else have screen flickering issues? it seems to happen only on the internet and pages with a lot of white which I know use power then other colours because of the oled
@Murkurie It happens to mine sometimes, not a whole lot though. I don't know why, but it does seem to happen when viewing web pages.
@Murkurie Yeah, it's a standard Zune HD issue.
Same to same problem (if it's a problem) with my ZHD 32.
A good app, but this was supposed to come out back around Thanksgiving if I remember correctly. Hopefully this doesn't become the norm for their apps.