FACEBOOK HAS LAUNCHED its own app store, stepping up its battle with rival tech giants Apple and Google.
The App Center is now available to users in the US, and will be rolled out to all Facebook accounts in the next few weeks, the company said.
It will feature more than 600 apps, including already widely-used plug-ins such as Pinterest and Draw Something. In a blog post, Facebook said the store will also carry a number of new apps, naming Jetpack Joyride, Ghosts of Mistwood and Ghost Recon Commander.
The company said:
The App Center gives you personalised recommendations, and lets you browse the apps your friends use. It only lists high-quality apps, based on feedback from people who use the app.
The store will be available via the Facebook iOS and Android apps as well as via web. This video gives a feel of how it will be navigated:
YouTube/Sociolatte
Facebook’s announcement is the latest in a series of moves designed to make the social network a one-stop platform for users, rather than simply a place to engage with friends. It will again put the company in direct competition with Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play apps for Android.
Facebook recently purchased photo-sharing site Instagram for roughly $1billion.
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