LinkedIn, the self-proclaimed online social network for professionals, has finally made its way to Android with an official app after running an open beta for the last four months or so. They’ve added Reconnect (to discover new contacts) and Messages and functions on top of features that have been available from the get-go, like viewing status updates from contacts, checking your individual connections, handling incoming invitations, and searching the network for new contacts.
LinkedIn is a little different from Facebook in that it’s more reserved, and has different profile fields designed to highlight your previous work experience and recommendations from peers. You can use second- and third-degree connections to get introduced to people outside of your immediate professional circle. You can also join groups surrounding particular interested to meet new folks in your field. Check out LinkedIn’s homepage and sign up if you’re feeling like e-shmoozing.
It’s taken awhile for LinkedIn to get onto Android, after being on BlackBerry and iPhone for some time now. I’m still not particularly happy with the app on the Torch since LinkedIn worms its way inappropriately into just about every system menu, notifications don’t offer shortcuts to launch into the app, and integration with the address book is only partial.
Hopefully the Android app fares better. If you’d like to give it a shot, LinkedIn is available in the Market.
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