Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s F8 Developer Conference gets underway today, starting with a keynote speech from CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Mobile is definitely the headline of the day, with sessions focusing on topics like mobile ads, mobile games and push notifications for mobile devices. App developers can also get some help from Facebook and Instagram engineers at the social network’s help station, which it calls “The Garage.”
Mobile matters to Facebook
Mashable highlighted a number of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s newer apps and notes that the social network wants app developers to create third party apps which specifically integrate with Facebook. In order to integrate these apps with Facebook, developers will have to build out a number of elements, like Open Graph or a login for Facebook. These features will make it possible for users to post data to their timelines on the social network.
Aside from the rapid rise in use of mobile devices, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) also has a major reason to want more integration from mobile app developers. With more third party apps offering integration, the company is able to collect even more data. With more data comes the ability to improve targeting capabilities for advertisers. Facebook users also may be less likely to delete their accounts if they are tied in to all of their mobile apps.
Other things to expect at F8
Zuckerberg has also been working on his Internet.org initiative, and Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) said F8 attendees would be able to visit the Innovation Lab, which teaches developers how to make apps for areas which don’t have good Internet access. The initiative aims to bring Internet to the entire world.
Developers will also probably hear from Ilya Sukhar, CEO of Parse, a recent acquisition of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB). The company helps developers create their apps.
What F8 probably won’t bring
The last time Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) did its F8 conference was three years ago. At that time, the social network unveiled Open Graph and Timeline. Mashable doesn’t believe there will be any kind of similar product launches targeting consumers this year. They think all launches will target developers only. This view is backed up by comments made by Sukhar, who told PC Magazine that they would be focusing mainly on developer needs this year at F8.
