Facebook Places (Finally) Launched in Singapore & Hong Kong

This is long overdue. Facebook finally launched their location-based service (Facebook Places) in Hong Kong and Singapore.

I last wrote that Facebook Places was announced to be launched on the week of 31 January for Singapore and Facebook users. The Facebook folks announced it during a Web Wednesday event. To be on the safe side, I even confirmed the news via email. The answer was a ‘yes’ (see image below).

I was excited and tried the service on 31 Jan( Mon). It didn’t work. Curious, I sent another email wanting to understand  the delay so I can keep an update on the post. Facebook Singapore didn’t reply. They probably think I’m a small fry. Well, I’m but the fun thing about blogging is to write about personal opinions. So this is my opinion, or rather a fact: Facebook Places is 2 weeks late and Facebook Singapore kept quiet about it.

Let me add some spice. Having the chance to work with both Google and Facebook in Singapore, I strongly think Google is a much better tech company to work with. Google Singapore understands the need to connect with local bloggers. Facebook doesn’t give a damn and probably doesn’t even have a proper localized strategy to work with Asians.

Hmm… at least they provide free beer in their last event? That is just too superficial.