iPhone apps using the service to crash instantly, according to
developers that spoke with CNET.
(Credit: Nodconcept)
The bug was originally thought to be with Facebook's application
programming interface, which enabled developers to publish feed
stories into their apps. Facebook reminded developers on Monday that
the old APIs would be turned off on Tuesday, a plan that had been in
the works since last October.
Chris Diskin of Nodconcept, makers of Emoti (iTunes Link), an iPhone
app that enables users to post status messages on Facebook with custom
emoticons, said his app stopped working on Tuesday afternoon, after
the old APIs were supposed to be turned off. However, Facebook
representatives later said a bug in the software, not the company's
APIs, caused the issue.
The bug didn't affect all apps, and perhaps not even all apps in the
same way. For instance, Emoti users that purchased the app and logged
into Facebook before Tuesday afternoon were able to use the app just
fine. Those that purchased the app after midafternoon on Tuesday found
that the app crashed immediately.
Within hours of being alerted to the problem, Facebook engineers
tracked down the problem and fixed it.
Diskin confirmed for CNET late Wednesday that Emoti was working again.