Facebook for iOS Gains Foursquare-Style 'Place Tips' Recommendations

Facebook for iOS is gaining a major new feature today, which is designed to provide Foursquare-style recommendations on the places that users visit. Called Place Tips, the tool will offer up posts and photos that a user's friends have shared at the same location that's being visited.

For example, when visiting a restaurant, if a Facebook friend has previously been to the same spot, Place Tips will display any photos and posts that were made at that location, letting users know what might be good to order or what to avoid.

From friends' recommendations to information about the places and things that interest you, Facebook helps you connect with the world around you. To better show you this content at just the right place and time, today we're launching a new feature called place tips. Place tips will show you fun, useful and relevant info about the place you're at. Tapping on place tips won't post on Facebook or show anyone where you are.

As of today, iPhone users may begin seeing Place Tips at the top of their news feeds within the iOS app. Tapping on a tip will display cards with information about the location as well as posts and photos from friends. Place Tips are sent out to users who have given Facebook permission to access their location, and it can be disabled in the Settings menu. The feature uses a combination of cellular networks, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Facebook Bluetooth beacons to determine user location and deliver information.

For the time being, Place Tips will be limited to specific areas where Facebook is testing the feature in New York. Users visiting areas like Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, and more will be seeing the notifications.

Facebook for iOS can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]