Written Android App Review
If you have been job shopping or networking the past eight years or so, you’ve probably heard of LinkedIn. It’s the top online social networking tool for business professionals, boasting over 100 million worldwide members. LinkedIn lets users connect with business constituents, join professional groups to sharpen their skills and widen their networks, shop for reputable job listings and more. Good news Android fans! It’s now available as an Android app.
Function
Users will log in with the same credentials they use online to the LinkedIn Android app. Once you’re in you have access to updates posted by your network. You can view your existing network connections, send connection invitations, search for other users by their names or company, dig through connections suggested by LinkedIn, and peruse your messages and profile. A simple upper right-hand corner button, shaped like a cartoon word bubble, allow users to post updates to share with their constituents on-the-go, or through a linked Twitter account.
Unfortunately, that’s it. The current version, 1.0.3 does not allow users to view or interact with their groups. There is no access to the truly stellar job listings users can find on LinkedIn’s site. Any LinkedIn profile apps you use will not appear in the Android app. You can’t even use the search to send a connection invitation to a user unless you know their e-mail address.
With the existing functions, the LinkedIn app will be useful to users who already have their profile well established and have an active “Updates” section. It is relatively useless to new LinkedIn users or people looking for jobs. I would venture a guess that LinkedIn plans to update the app in the future, though they have made no announcement indicating their intention.
Design
The LinkedIn Android app is brilliant in its brevity. The lay out is simple, direct and to the point. The uncomplicated design is filled with terms current LinkedIn users will be familiar with. I foresee the app retaining these qualities through future updates. LinkedIn the website is refreshingly straightforward. Users will find LinkedIn the app much the same.
Value
LinkedIn for Android is free! We all like free. Job shoppers and business professionals are all over free in this rickety economy. I’ll keep LinkedIn on my Android for now, but will use it more if future updates produce a more feature rich app. It’s rather surprising LinkedIn didn’t get around to creating an Android app earlier. I predict their late start may be the apps undoing.
Android Apps Review Details: LinkedIn Android app is free. This app requires Android 2.1 and up. You may download LinkedIn from the Android Market.
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