FaceReviews: Facebook News, Application Reviews and Social Networks

CNET MyTech Application Debuts on Facebook

Published by Rodney Rumford June 27th, 2007 in Facebook Applications, Facebook Review, Facebook Software, facebook widgets.

Rating:
Well known Tech Site c/net has made their debut in Facebook with the MyTech Application. This is an official application from the great publishers at c/net. I was excited when they contacted me to check out their just released facebook application, I really love c/net so my expectations were pretty high. I watch c/net all the time on TIVO and visit the site regularly.

For those of you that do not know: CNET.com provides you with information, tools, and advice that helps you decide what to buy and how to get the most out of your tech.

The MyTech Facebook application has full navigation to the core areas of the cnet website.

The MyTech application allows you to search their database of technology gadgets and to check out many different products and short summaries; with links to more detailed reviews and ratings. The search is lightening fast and works great. The fact that it takes me off of facebook to dig further into the product details is a disappointment to me. What’s worse is they don’t even pop a new window, so it is a pain to get back to where I was in facebook.

A great feature of this application is the fact that I can select 1 of 4 options for any gadget that I search for and put in My Tech List:
-I Want it
-I Love it
-I Got it
-I Hate it
….. and I can also write a short note about that particular product. Nice. But no one gets to really see this effectively, nothing shows up in my mini-feed; so what is the point?

On my profile page I can display My Tech List products. You can see the thumbnail images of these products I have or want and it looks pretty sweet; but you wouldn’t know that I hate one of these products.

The application is lacking is some areas and could be much better: I should be able to instantly share any product by posting a link, or pushing it to my mini-feed so my friends can see it, or let me share it with specific friends. Why not let me make a wish list so that everyone knows what stuff I really want? Or let me write a comment about a product and share it with people, thus making the transfer of content much easier. The application does not display anything when it is in the left column of my profile page.

I almost feel like this application is strictly meant to drive traffic back to c/net, and that makes me sad. I would like to see a more deeply integrated application that leverages easier knowledge sharing.

All that being said; this is only the first iteration of a product from really smart people and I am optimistic that it will improve in the near future. Technology & Gadget freaks are sure to love this application. I spent well over an hour evaluating this application and found it somewhat useful, but it could be vastly improved. We look forward to reporting major improvements when they become available.

You can get the c/net MyTech facebook application here

Be sure to join the Facebook Applications Group here

MyTech on my profile page with my featured item showcased and a note. The images all take you to the review of the product