Today Facebook announced the upcoming launch of their new App Center. Facebook’s web-based App Center will be set up as a place for users to discover and interact with different apps across multiple platforms via virtually any HTML5-compatible web browser using their existing Facebook login credentials.
The App Center, according to Facebook, is said to be a “central” hub for the over 900 million Facebook users and will be a convenient location to find apps like Draw Something, Pinterest, Spotify, Battle Pirates, Viddy, and Bubble Witch Saga.
While there will be HTML5 web-based apps in the App Center, users will also be able to discover OS-specific apps and be taken directly to the corresponding app distribution method:
Driving mobile installs
The App Center is designed to grow mobile apps that use Facebook – whether they’re on iOS, Android or the mobile web. From the mobile App Center, users can browse apps that are compatible with their device, and if a mobile app requires installation, they will be sent to download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
Similar to Apple’s App Store, which uses a variety of data to determine how well apps rank in different “top” (e.g. “Top Paid”) sections, Facebook’s App Center will “use a variety of signals, such as user ratings and engagement, to determine if an app is listed in the App Center”. Additionally, to “monitor user feedback”, Facebook will also utilize a sophisticated rating system for both users and developers.
The App Center will be home to free apps that can be equipped with in-app purchases, as well as paid apps that should function across most devices operating under the same Facebook account (so long as it’s not an OS-specific app).
Currently, there isn’t a set roll out date for Facebooks upcoming App Center service but, as stated in the announcement, Facebook is encouraging all developers to submit app detail pages prior to May 18th. In light of that knowledge, it’s probably safe to assume that the App Center will go live sometime after May 18th and hopefully before June – stay tuned for full coverage.
