Facebook offers partner deals
Facebook on Wednesday began offering coupons from various retailers, including a promotion from Gap which will give away 10,000 pairs of jeans. Mobile users can access the partner deals on their smartphones, go to the store and show the virtual coupon to the clerk.
Facebook said it is launching a test version of the feature, called Deals, with more than 20 companies, including the Gap, McDonalds, 24 Hour Fitness, American Eagle Outfitters and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a chain of movie theaters that serves food and drinks.
The Web's largest social networking site added Deals, along with improvements to its Groups and Places tools, to its free applications for iPhone and Android. Facebook made the announcements during a press event at its Palo Alto, California, office.
Smartphone app developers will be able to implement a tool called "single sign-on," which allows users to log in to third-party mobile apps using their Facebook accounts and connect with their networks of friends there. Reps from FarmVille maker Zynga, Game Network and daily-deal provider Groupon took the stage to say they would support the feature in their apps.
Facebook has offered something similar in Connect, but single sign-on makes the process easier. The system recognizes when someone is signed in to the Facebook app on their phone and can use that information in other apps.
