Submitted on August 1, 2010 by serrebi
Posted in:
Description of App
As described on the iTunes Store:
Facebook for iPhone makes it easy to stay connected and share information with friends. Use your iPhone to start a conversation with Facebook Chat, check your friends' latest photos and status updates, look up a phone number, or upload your own mobile photos to Facebook while on the go.
Version
3.1.4
Free or Paid
Free
Compatibility
This is a native iPhone and iPod Touch app that is displayed in 2x mode on an iPad
Accessibility Comments
It's better than the website. I mostly use it for push notifications and seeing who's on Facebook chat, but the news feed and stuff aren't the most user friendly for the blind In my opinion.
VoiceOver Performance
VoiceOver reads a few page elements.
Button Labelling
Most buttons are clearly labelled.
Usability
The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver, but the interface could be easier to navigate and use.
User Options
4 AppleVis user(s) have recommended this app for VoiceOver users.
0 AppleVis user(s) have reported that they have contacted the developer about accessibility issues with this app.
Comments
#1 Not at all vo friendly
This app is not at all vo friendly. It needs a lot of work. The app crashes and I can't click on anything but the what's on your mind button. This app needs serious work and I think I'll remove it from my phone.
#2 Removing it as well
It does crash often and the fact that I cannot read others' comments and reply to them is frustrating, since this is the bulk of what I do on Facebook. A waste of app space.
#3 I agree.
The only reason I've kept the app around as long as I have is because I keep hoping for accessibility improvements. I've yet to see any. I'm experiencing the same crashing issues, and voiceover doesn't read status updates correctly.
#4 Unstable and Unreliable
App crashes a lot when scrolling through status updates. Unable to view comments and make comments, nothing happens.
#5 Updated, but not enough
In the update released today, I noticed the buttons are now all nicely labeled. However all of the previously stated issues still remain.
#6 Latest update
The latest update has much improved button labelling. So far the only unlabelled button that I have found is the very last one on the main screen, which is for the notifications page.
I rarely use the app, so we shall have to wait for others to report whether it is more stable.
#7 I like this app
I like this app for the following 2 reasons. 1, Uploading photo albums. It's easy to do it with this app and so far has been the best one for it. 2, live chat. With this app, I can do my facebook chat and it works beautifully. The only thing I can't do which is annoying is make a new comment on a person's status. If there are existing comments, you can do it, but not for new comments. Put this app together with Echofon for FB and it's a great combination.
#8 Commenting
I realise this isn't incredibly helpful, but earlier, I actually managed to comment on someones status using this app. I have no exact idea how I did this. I started repeatidly tapping the comment button, then by chance, tapped the persons actual status update and vwala, it opened up a whole new window i'd never seen before, showing me who liked the status, the comments and gave me a space to write in for a comment. I've since tried the same thing and just can't seem to get it to work. HOwever, I know it does, somehow, so I'll keep trying.
#9 I keep noticing the app
I keep noticing the app crashes at the most inopportune times. I've contacted Facebook about this and they keep saying they will look in to it. It is frustrating as all get out, so for now I will by uninstalling this app.
#10 A few additions
As the original poster suggests the "newsfeed" screen is the least accessible part of the app. In particular:
1. The "like" and "comment" buttons are confusing in that you only hear the word" comment" while touching the button.
2. It is impossible to activate the "comment" button (see above).
3. There is no way to open a status update by double tapping on the appropriate link.
4. The slider that allows viewing older updates does not provide text label and does not inform the user as to how many entries are on the screen at a given time.
If the "newsfeed" screen was fixed, Voiceover user would end up with quite an enjoyable experience.
#11 Improvements in Liking/Commenting
Liking and comment on posts seems straight forward enough with the version I am presently using. Unlike the web flavors of Facebook, from a linear top down, left to right prospective the comment/like icon is BEFORE the post instead of after it. It also is merely designated as an image and not a button. But flick left once from the poster's name and it should be highlighted. Tapping it opens two more link controls, labeled 'like' and 'comment'. The like button will add you to the list of people liking the item. The comment link will open a new screen with a text entry field and buttons to post or cancel. There are still a few other accessibility hurdles that at least I haven't figured out yet, but this seems much improved now from what I read in the older comments.