Develop Bugs

facebook integration improvements

Hey guys,
A few days ago an idea came to my mind and I emailed it to Brandon Watson from Microsoft. I found his email on a blog post about hacking wp7.
I studied abroard so I use fb to talk to friends I had there. It is really nice because before I use facebook I would just lose contact. The language sqitch button is genius makes it easy to switch between the languages we mix together.
Now not everything is ment to publish on each others walls and idk how hackable the operating system is yet. But it would be very nice to send somebody a personal messagefrom the contactlist. I also suggested in the email. I could be integrated in the now plain message hub with a pivot to facebook messages. Since the operating system is very well thought out to get the job done as quickly as possible. Besides fb messages, first you get an email. Its facebook you open it, want to respond so close open fb app click post, click the new message, respond. Really slow, it would be nice to just see the messages and be able to respond directly.
The fb integration was named like a pretty big feature and for the foto,s it is but other than that not very usefull yet.
I dont know how difficult it is to add a link to the contactlist. Which links to a self build mesaaging app with all the facebook messages stored. ( I can build the app, my device is legally unlocked) but idk if its possible to add a link to that page.
Anyway is there anybody else who thought about this?

XDAFacebook Mango!

So.... Just putting the "Teaser" out there to gather some interest.
Devs that are interested send me a PM!
Oh, and seeing as I don't have a WP7 device (yet), what are the current Facebook frustrations so I know where to attack?

The one issue with the current Microsoft supplied Facebook app is that when you click on a youtube video is sends you to the regular youtube page and not the mobile version...so without flash it won't work. The only other thing would be a live tile that shows number of new notifications.

66stang351 said:
The one issue with the current Microsoft supplied Facebook app is that when you click on a youtube video is sends you to the regular youtube page and not the mobile version...so without flash it won't work. The only other thing would be a live tile that shows number of new notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The last update introduced live tiles and push notifications..

66stang351 said:
The one issue with the current Microsoft supplied Facebook app is that when you click on a youtube video is sends you to the regular youtube page and not the mobile version...so without flash it won't work. The only other thing would be a live tile that shows number of new notifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MS could of made it open an installed Youtube App as they have native code access. Not sure there are API's for this to a Marketplace Developer. Just a thought anyway, I could be wrong.
As for the Live tile, I would love to see a double wide live tile with more than just a number of notifications. I'd love to see more app actually have a true live tile with some of the notification text in the tile. Is this possible with the new Mango API's for a Marketplace Developer though?

drkfngthdragnlrd said:
As for the Live tile, I would love to see a double wide live tile with more than just a number of notifications. I'd love to see more app actually have a true live tile with some of the notification text in the tile. Is this possible with the new Mango API's for a Marketplace Developer though?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe double-wide live tiles are still not available to 3rd parties, but certainly much more informational live tiles are available with the use of the back and front of the tile now.

prjkthack said:
I believe double-wide live tiles are still not available to 3rd parties, but certainly much more informational live tiles are available with the use of the back and front of the tile now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I though so, thanks for the information.

drkfngthdragnlrd said:
I though so, thanks for the information.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem.
Getting back to this app, while its nice to see someone trying to get a better Facebook app up and running, I hope that it doesn't end up looking like the Android or iOS Facebook app (as pictured in the screenshot).
Metro is a very capable design ethic, and the general design of Windows Phone 7 and it's apps lend themselves very well to presenting information in both an organized and beautiful fashion. Please make sure to take advantage of that. That being said, I of course only have this one screenshot to judge off of, so don't shoot me. XD

I agree with prjkthack, stay with the Metro UI look. The picture above does not look good for a WP7 app.
Things missing in the current Facebook app...
Can't see who liked status-update/picture, (you can see a few in notification area but not when looking at the actual update/picture)
Can't like Comments to updates/pictures
Annoying...
When looking at a picture you have to press comment button to see/add comments (it switches to a comment view where you don't see the picture anymore), why not show comments directly below the picture?
Everything just loads so slow

Does the current Facebook app from Microsoft have the Places or Check-In feature?

Honestly, since I put Mango on my phone, there's no need for a dedicated Facebook app. Notifications are on the "Me" tile, Status Updates in the People's Hub, and chat is in the Messaging hub...

Well the most annoying thing is not having a seperate fb messaging client.
And i think its better for you not wasting your time on doing a full fb app, but rather make a messaging only app which is quick with push, so people can actually use is since this is missing from the os integration.
However with Mango we can probably pin the fb inbox to our startscreen so this will cancel out the need for a facebook messenger client. And deep linking will add the desired speed to it.
Good luck anyway thank you for the effort, i hope it will come out nice.

nizzon said:
Everything just loads so slow
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soooo true ... I use m.facebook.com ..

Between the Mango integration and the FB app, we have 90% of what we need covered. I'm not sure its worth the effort to create a new FB app honestly.

One of my biggest annoyances with the Microsoft Facebook app and alot of the apps that have been released is there smoothness and scrolling speed. We have this wonderful smooth and efficient operating system which is plagued by i suppose poorly coded apps that are trying to bite of more then they can chew.
The Facebook as is very sluggish to Navigate which really annoys the **** out of me. Another problem i have noticed is with the tile notifications, when you have a notification it displays on the tile as a number then you click on the facebook and and navigate to notifications, click on the notifications then exit and the counter has not updated. I disabled the push notifications and it still has a stupid number. When you open the app it should assume you have read all the notifications like on fb when click on the notifications button. So if you can manage to fix the notifications and the scrolling speed id be a very happy man.

NoWorthWhile said:
Honestly, since I put Mango on my phone, there's no need for a dedicated Facebook app. Notifications are on the "Me" tile, Status Updates in the People's Hub, and chat is in the Messaging hub...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What about Facebook Mail/Messages (not chat, the other ones)?
There is still enough feature disparity to warrant the need of a real App.
Also, does the new "integration" update in the background? For Twitter especially, since the lack of background updates would make that useless for me.

Thank you for all of your feedback!
prjkthack said:
No problem.
Getting back to this app, while its nice to see someone trying to get a better Facebook app up and running, I hope that it doesn't end up looking like the Android or iOS Facebook app (as pictured in the screenshot).
Metro is a very capable design ethic, and the general design of Windows Phone 7 and it's apps lend themselves very well to presenting information in both an organized and beautiful fashion. Please make sure to take advantage of that. That being said, I of course only have this one screenshot to judge off of, so don't shoot me. XD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually don't have much experience with WP7 and the Metro UI (other than the emulator). I will be upgrading my WinMo 6.5 to WP7 once my contract runs up, and so hopefully by then I will have more knowledge of what metro looks/feels like.
One thought I had was instead of making the 3x3 grid of pictures, making a 2xN set of Live Tiles for each of the different areas. Then do a pivot for "Pinned" friends, etc. Thoughts?
NoWorthWhile said:
Honestly, since I put Mango on my phone, there's no need for a dedicated Facebook app. Notifications are on the "Me" tile, Status Updates in the People's Hub, and chat is in the Messaging hub...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PG2G said:
Between the Mango integration and the FB app, we have 90% of what we need covered. I'm not sure its worth the effort to create a new FB app honestly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmm.... I'm curious about this. I would much rather spend my time developing something useful rather than copying integrated features.
Now, I know that on the HD2, HTC added a "Facebook Tab" that did basic stuff, but clicking into any of the different messages launched the m.facebook.com. Is this the same as with Mango?
Also, I know that some people like a consolidated feel when it comes to things like facebook. The integrated features sound great in terms of "Glance and Go", but how are they in regards to general Facebook Browsing? Do you get the full Facebook experience?
I would really like some more information about these comments. If there is no need for a dedicated app, then I won't make it.
Also, I know that Facebook limits what 3rd party devs can do, where as 1st party apps (Like the iOS and Android app) don't have those limits. Examples of this are adding places, sending messages to Inbox, Poking, etc (these CANNOT be done on 3rd party apps!) If the integrated app can do all of those, then there might not be any need to have a limited stand-alone app.
Any feedback about this would be excellent!
N8ter said:
What about Facebook Mail/Messages (not chat, the other ones)?
There is still enough feature disparity to warrant the need of a real App.
Also, does the new "integration" update in the background? For Twitter especially, since the lack of background updates would make that useless for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mail/Messages cannot be sent by 3rd party apps... It is a terrible terrible thing I know. They had enabled it in 2009, but it got abused so they took it away. I've seen apps that work around the limitation, but I haven't found out how.
As for background apps, there is support for background threading in Mango so that should be possible!
Thank you again for all the feedback!

joe_coolish said:
One thought I had was instead of making the 3x3 grid of pictures, making a 2xN set of Live Tiles for each of the different areas. Then do a pivot for "Pinned" friends, etc. Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes sense, sounds like a good place to start.
So the "home" pivot would feature Facebook's main features (like feeds, photos, etc.), and then a "favorites" pivot would be custom pinned features like friends, groups, etc.?
Makes sense. Sounds good.

prjkthack said:
That makes sense, sounds like a good place to start.
So the "home" pivot would feature Facebook's main features (like feeds, photos, etc.), and then a "favorites" pivot would be custom pinned features like friends, groups, etc.?
Makes sense. Sounds good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
So, any thoughts about the usefulness of the app?

I wouldn't personally use it, the FB App itself and Mango has all I need. But competition is good and it'll be nice having more than 1 facebook app in the market.

I think it sounds like a great idea I actually use the FB app when I need to check something. If I need to post something then the integrated is awesome as it posts to twitter to

Mango Facebook Photos and Wall not Visible

I did the force update to Mango last night and I'm getting some funny behavior for the Facebook integration. For almost every one of my contacts, it works exactly as advertised, but there are two people whose photos I can't see on the phone. It says "There are no pictures of [contact], or this person has chosen not to share pictures with your phone." One of the two even has a blank What's New pivot, when he updates his status all the time. I feel like these are Facebook security issues, but I can't see anything under the Privacy settings that I could suggest they change. Anyone else seeing this?

Privacy Settings > How people bring your info to apps they use > Edit Settings
They have to check those options.

Excellent. I'll have them check.

Adjust the Date!!! A wrong date on the Phone makes trouble with Facebook .

Am having the same issues. Have you figured out what is causing this? any remedies?

a2gti said:
Am having the same issues. Have you figured out what is causing this? any remedies?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't makes sense because the contact that I cannot see albums for on the people hub, I can see their albums using the facebook app.

The solution Endeavor posted works. As soon as my friends changed those settings, their pictures and wall posts showed up.

It doesn't makes sense because the contact that I cannot see albums for on the people hub, I can see their albums using the facebook app.
The facebook app is from facebook, so gets special treatment.

I have the same issue. I'm finally since last Monday running the official mango on my omnia7 and except this thing I am also missing few Facebook contacts in the people hub. It looks like its a known issue.

The integration on the phone is considered a 3rd party app, and checks peoples privacy settings (How people bring your info to apps they use). The facebook "app" acts like 1st party and has treatment as you would from the browser.
Personally I hope facebook does away with this stupid privacy setting. If you have access to somebody's info, you should have access to it from a browser, an app ect.

dtboos said:
The integration on the phone is considered a 3rd party app, and checks peoples privacy settings (How people bring your info to apps they use). The facebook "app" acts like 1st party and has treatment as you would from the browser.
Personally I hope facebook does away with this stupid privacy setting. If you have access to somebody's info, you should have access to it from a browser, an app ect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes or alternatively I wish MS would use some of their clout (I think they have serious $$$ invested in FB) and get WP7 to be recognized as 1st-party instead of 3rd party. THAT would be a serious differentiator IMO, and would fully realize the potential of FB integration.
-R

I Can't Add Facebook as an Account, Help

When I go into Accounts & Sync in the settings menu and try to add Facebook as an account, it doesn't work. I click to add facebook but it just returns me to the settings and never adds it. It works perfect for Twitter, LinkedIn, and other apps as well. Anyone else having this happen too? I've tried uninstalling and clearing all data, didn't work.

Arcadia310 said:
When I go into Accounts & Sync in the settings menu and try to add Facebook as an account, it doesn't work. I click to add facebook but it just returns me to the settings and never adds it. It works perfect for Twitter, LinkedIn, and other apps as well. Anyone else having this happen too? I've tried uninstalling and clearing all data, didn't work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. Don't think its setup for ICS yet

Facebook has not made an app that actually works with Android. Many companies, like HTC, have made apps for that by themselves. Facebook and Google are not on friendly terms when it comes to sharing contacts data, so this might not change anytime soon.

Doesn't that make the People Hub pointless then? All of my "real" friends are on Facebook, not Google+, Twitter, or LinkedIn so it doesn't sync any real info or high def pictures.

kristovaher said:
Facebook has not made an app that actually works with Android. Many companies, like HTC, have made apps for that by themselves. Facebook and Google are not on friendly terms when it comes to sharing contacts data, so this might not change anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Arcadia310 said:
Doesn't that make the People Hub pointless then? All of my "real" friends are on Facebook, not Google+, Twitter, or LinkedIn so it doesn't sync any real info or high def pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It seems like they want everyone using Google+ Most of my personel friends are on Facebook also but, I hardly use Facebook. Hopefully they will fix it this for people who want to use it.

http://heartofangel.com/google-contact-sync/

qnet said:
It seems like they want everyone using Google+ Most of my personel friends are on Facebook also but, I hardly use Facebook. Hopefully they will fix it this for people who want to use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong.
Google does not develop Facebook app. Facebook does.

kristovaher said:
Facebook has not made an app that actually works with Android. Many companies, like HTC, have made apps for that by themselves. Facebook and Google are not on friendly terms when it comes to sharing contacts data, so this might not change anytime soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not entirely true. Facebook sync used to work with all Nexus devices but Google themselves pulled the sync due to them not allowing contacts to also be exported to Android devices. From Google:
http://techcrunch.com/2011/02/22/google-android-facebook-contacts/
“We believe it is very important that users are able to control their data. So in the over-the-air update for Nexus S, we have a small change to how Facebook contacts appear on the device. For Nexus S users who downloaded the Facebook app from Android Market, Facebook contacts will no longer appear to be integrated with the Android Contacts app. Since Facebook contacts cannot be exported from the device, the appearance of integration created a false sense of data portability. Facebook contact data will continue to appear within the Facebook app. Like all developers on Android, Facebook is free to use the Android contacts API to truly integrate contacts on the device, which would allow users to have more control over their data. We are removing the special-case handling of Facebook contacts on Nexus S and future lead devices. We continue to believe that reciprocity (the expectation that if information can be imported into a service it should be able to be exported) is an important step toward creating a world of true data liberation — and encourage other websites and app developers to allow users to export their contacts as well.”
They only stopped this feature on the Nexus line of phones and the reason Facebook sync still doesn't work is because Facebook has not made the necessary change yet that Twitter and the like have. Google however doesn't stop other OEMs from allowing Facebook to sync contacts though - I wish they would to light the fire under their ***** so I could get my contact photos back, but what can you do? They hate each other right now.

kristovaher said:
Wrong.
Google does not develop Facebook app. Facebook does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Google disabled Facebook sync over privacy issues. It sucks.
What's the point of the People's Hub then?

qreffie said:
That's not entirely true. Facebook sync used to work with all Nexus devices but Google themselves pulled the sync due to them not allowing contacts to also be exported to Android devices. From Google:
http://techcrunch.com/2011/02/22/google-android-facebook-contacts/
“We believe it is very important that users are able to control their data. So in the over-the-air update for Nexus S, we have a small change to how Facebook contacts appear on the device. For Nexus S users who downloaded the Facebook app from Android Market, Facebook contacts will no longer appear to be integrated with the Android Contacts app. Since Facebook contacts cannot be exported from the device, the appearance of integration created a false sense of data portability. Facebook contact data will continue to appear within the Facebook app. Like all developers on Android, Facebook is free to use the Android contacts API to truly integrate contacts on the device, which would allow users to have more control over their data. We are removing the special-case handling of Facebook contacts on Nexus S and future lead devices. We continue to believe that reciprocity (the expectation that if information can be imported into a service it should be able to be exported) is an important step toward creating a world of true data liberation — and encourage other websites and app developers to allow users to export their contacts as well.”
They only stopped this feature on the Nexus line of phones and the reason Facebook sync still doesn't work is because Facebook has not made the necessary change yet that Twitter and the like have. Google however doesn't stop other OEMs from allowing Facebook to sync contacts though - I wish they would to light the fire under their ***** so I could get my contact photos back, but what can you do? They hate each other right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting. This makes People's Hub almost pointless for me.

Arcadia310 said:
Interesting. This makes People's Hub almost pointless for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could always start spamming Facebook to allow contact export so Google will let them sync again. I doubt they'll do it though.
The fact that any OEM can make this feature work again no matter what Google does kind of sucks when you only buy Nexus phones. I've gotten used to it not being there and I take a random candid picture of everyone I add to my contacts list now which works better in some situations since some of those FB profile pics don't give you any idea who the person actually is.

Arcadia310 said:
I think Google disabled Facebook sync over privacy issues. It sucks.
What's the point of the People's Hub then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No they did not. The way Facebook synced before was a hack, they did not use Android contacts API the way others do and the way it is meant to. Google removed the hack.
Facebook does not want to share contact information with Android so that user 'owns' their data. They can always build their app the right way. Zuckerberg & Co just don't want to.

Arcadia310 said:
What's the point of the People's Hub then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
because it is called the People application, not the Facebook application.
Not everyone uses Facebook, as apathetically ubiquitous it may appear to be. Some people use Twitter. Some people use Google+. Either way, the point of it is that it links with multiple social networks. The Facebook application does not work properly with Android 4.0, and even if/when it does it is unlikely that Facebook will be allowed API access to the People application due to the fact that they do not make it simple to get at your contacts data. It's your prerogative if you want to blame Google or Facebook there, but the point I'm making is that the People application obviously has a point, since Facebook isn't the be-all-and-end-all of social networking.

So if i understand this right.
Google wont let facebook info sync. Because facebook wont let it fully sync and be backed up to gmail etc?
And this would mean all your friends facebook info would then be your property and not theirs (facebooks).

GR36 said:
So if i understand this right.
Google wont let facebook info sync. Because facebook wont let it fully sync and be backed up to gmail etc?
And this would mean all your friends facebook info would then be your property and not theirs (facebooks).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google cannot stop anyone from syncing and using the API, this is open software. Facebook simply does not wish to implement that feature, since all contact data synced is accessible by other applications. The other thing is that Facebook does not wish to share friends email addresses.
It is entirely about Facebook not allowing user to do whatever they want with data shared with them by friends.

Basically, Facebook is afraid that if they allow people to export contact data, it will be very easy for everyone to just move all their friends to a new social network. Since Facebook only has one way of making money it's understandable that they want to make it as hard for us as possible to do that.
From Google's point of view, it's very exploitative of Facebook to expect to get special treatment on Android phones even though they refuse to play ball with Google, hence why their special privilege has now been removed.
Whose ever fault you think this is, it's us consumers who are made to suffer. -.-
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

kristovaher said:
Wrong.
Google does not develop Facebook app. Facebook does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not what I was implying at all.

GR36 said:
So if i understand this right.
Google wont let facebook info sync. Because facebook wont let it fully sync and be backed up to gmail etc?
And this would mean all your friends facebook info would then be your property and not theirs (facebooks).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not backed up to GMail but backed up to the phone. If you delete your FB account and I only had you as a FB contact then you would completely disappear from my contact list, or if something happened and FB went down for a few hours or a few days I wouldn't be able to contact anyone who was synced only through FB. Most people only join existing contacts so they only suffer from not having the photo and status updates synced, but not allowing export could be much more problematic. It's not that it's your property, it's information you have access to that you have been given approval by those you have friended to have therefore you could just use what FB gives you and manually enter the contact yourself if you wanted to. Google is basically saying if that's the case you should be given the option to automatically export that entire list to your phone instead of having to manually enter all the information that FB is supplying you with.

This frustrates me also.. ever since they updted my nexus s and removed it. Its the only thing i will miss from htc sense. I know use contapps to sync facebook and its associatd contact photos

Has anyone tried friendcaster? I know it has some syncing options.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App

[Q] Facebook contact sync through Facebook Home app?

Am about to pick up a used GNex and am wondering if the Facebook Home app is of any help towards getting contact pics & syncing on Nexus devices...never mind that it seems to be a crap launcher, etc., has anyone had a look at that possibility?
I don't have an Android phone for a few days to try this out, so if anyone is willing to give it a shot, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!

johnflorin said:
Am about to pick up a used GNex and am wondering if the Facebook Home app is of any help towards getting contact pics & syncing on Nexus devices...never mind that it seems to be a crap launcher, etc., has anyone had a look at that possibility?
I don't have an Android phone for a few days to try this out, so if anyone is willing to give it a shot, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you can use haxsync but is paid
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Facebook home isn't available on the gnex.

I can sideload the apk (with a bit of tinkering) according to here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2232198&page=5
A shame it doesn't work for this purpose, though...I've read about haxsync and it's not a problem that it costs a buck, but it just looks unclean, unofficial, etc. I would like to sync between Facebook and Google via at least Facebook if Google is being a douche, not some 3rd party.
I guess the only way this would be resolved officially is if Facebook came out with a People app replacement...which it might yet do, but so far no go.
Thanks!

I have used haxsync for 2 yrs an recommend it, I only got it to sync Facebook contact photos to native phone app contacts originally.

Most likely I will also use either it or this: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.contapps.android - looks very decent as a full People+Dialer replacement app

johnflorin said:
I can sideload the apk (with a bit of tinkering) according to here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2232198&page=5
A shame it doesn't work for this purpose, though...I've read about haxsync and it's not a problem that it costs a buck, but it just looks unclean, unofficial, etc. I would like to sync between Facebook and Google via at least Facebook if Google is being a douche, not some 3rd party.
I guess the only way this would be resolved officially is if Facebook came out with a People app replacement...which it might yet do, but so far no go.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is not being a douche here, Android has an open API allowing any app developer to sync stuff with contacts. Facebook just never updated their horribly outdated app to take advantage of this.(the API was released 2 Years ago)
So no it would not require facebook to release a people app but simply to update their existing app.
This is exactly what the third party apps does, and they work fine BTW. Since they run entirely in the background it doesn't matter that they look unofficial, I never see the app itself. So there is no need to use a replacement for the people app.

Never did understand why more didn't follow HTC's contact sync set up. So simple, intuitive and seamless.
Hey, we see you have 4 John Smiths.. under FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, and your main contacts.. shall we merge? Voila, done. And you get to use their FB photo as the default.
Why they wouldn't make contact integration easier is beyond me..

DNak206 said:
Never did understand why more didn't follow HTC's contact sync set up. So simple, intuitive and seamless.
Hey, we see you have 4 John Smiths.. under FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, and your main contacts.. shall we merge? Voila, done. And you get to use their FB photo as the default.
Why they wouldn't make contact integration easier is beyond me..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's simple, just because facebook is large doesn't mean they get preferential treatment(like on ios, where only twitter and facebook is integrated). On android any app can do this(facebook included), but it is required for the app itself to do the sync of the contacts.

mortenmhp said:
It's simple, just because facebook is large doesn't mean they get preferential treatment(like on ios, where only twitter and facebook is integrated). On android any app can do this(facebook included), but it is required for the app itself to do the sync of the contacts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But why not allow that as an option at the Android OS level to allow permission is what I don't get. The FB android app also hasn't synced my contacts in forever (to include photo).

DNak206 said:
But why not allow that as an option at the Android OS level to allow permission is what I don't get. The FB android app also hasn't synced my contacts in forever (to include photo).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please read my previous post! It is allowed... Any developer can add sync options(this is exactly what the thirdparties like haxsync does). The reason your facebook app sync doesn't work is, that they hacked in a solution that worked on 2.2 and earlier versions of android, but as the official api was introduced, and facebook was breaking the rules, this exploit was removed, and facebook just hasn't updated to use the official api.
read about the official api here: http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/providers/contacts-provider.html
What HTC and others does is, that they either hack in the old exploit allowing the facebook app to sync again or they simply write their own app which uses the official api to sync fb contacts and pics.(this is identical to downloading an app like haxsync).

I ended up installing Contacts+ and am quite happy with it...