Facebook has confirmed that it plans to introduce paid-for applications in the next few days, like those made popular by the iPhone, according to CNET.
It is thought that the social networking site plans to adopt a micro-payment platform that could enable developers to charge users for their applications, as well as make money through advertising. The move would allow Facebook to take a cut of the money generated by application developers, which could help the company monetise the social network further.
The micro-payment platform would see users purchase credits from Facebook to buy applications with. The social networking site launched its own virtual currency of credits last year, after switching from U.S. dollars to appeal to a global market. Until now users have only been able to use the credits to purchase virtual gifts, which they could then send to their friends.
Charging users for applications could prove to be a real money-spinner for Facebook, as Apple’s app store success shows. Apple sold its one billonth iPhone application last month, just nine months after the company launched its app store.
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This will probably make Facebook a lot of money, but there is very little chance, even as a regular Facebook user, that I’ll ever pay much of anything personally. I also feel like it goes very much against the spirit of Facebook to begin with. But like I said, they’ll probably make a killing anyway.