Two days ago Facebook announced a redesign of the profile page. Developers have been given access to the new profile redesign as of May 7. And we, the users, won’t see the new profile for a little while still.

I found a list of expected changes on Inside Facebook.

In summary:

• new info tab
• new application tabs
• mini feed 2.0
• new publisher for sharing apps data, etc
• a very different looking profile page

Here’s a screenshot of the redesign.

Yesterday I wrote about using Twitter – the nanoblogging social networking application – as a bridge to sync profile status across multiple social networking sites. Well it turns out that Twitter has a competitor clone named Jaiku.

At this time Jaiku is still in beta-by-invite only. So of course, I signed up for an initiation code. From what I can see on the Take the Tour section, Jaiku has a nicer interface than Twitter and has added functionality. Think slim down version of Facebook with no (annoying) applications.

Summary of key points from the Jaiku tour:

• status updates cleverly called Jaikus
• icon-based updates
• customized backgrounds
• you Web feeds
• your location
• Jaiku badge for your blog
• friends’ latest updates
• commenting capability
• see friends’ availability, location, and calendar events if they have Jaiku Mobile on their phone
• text status updates from mobile phone

For smartphone users:

• use Jaiku as your phone book
• browse and post Jaikus
• add comments
• share your location
• share your availability
• share your calendar events
• share who you’re with

From an interface perspective, Jaiku will definitely be the choice over the interface-unfriendly Twitter. It is more accessible to users who don’t want to memorize texting commands to perform basic operations. As a testimony to its expected popularity, there is already a Jaiku application on Facebook. Social network sites don’t succeed based on great technology (MySpace anyone?), but based on the number of users they attract. A user is more likely to register to the same social networking site/service as his/her friends. Since Jaiku is more user-friendly and “pretty”, it will likely win this clone war.

Rafe Needleman offers his perspective on the Twitter-Jaiku dilemma as well as a clever solution in his blog post How to win in the Twitter vs. Jaiku battle.

As for now, my purpose for using Twitter is sync my profile status across multiple social network sites. I have no intention of using Twitter for other purposes, therefore it will not conflict with my usage of Jaiku (and hopefully I get an invitation code real soon).

I’m sure some really smart developer will come up with a Jaiku sync tool to update the profile status on social network site using a mobile phone.

Okay, so let’s face it: we all have friends on Facebook that are serious about updating their profile status. I can understand how my friends that are seated at computers for most of day would be in a good position to update their status regularly – at least once or twice a day. It’s the diligent profile updates while away from a computer that are perplexing. E.g. “John Smith is shopping at the St-Lawrence Market” followed an hour later by “John Smith is waiting for the streetcar”.

Our Facebook profiles can be accessed and updated using a cellphone. That’s a no brainer. But it’s the effort – mainly the number of steps – required with this method that keeps me from being up-to-date on my profile.

Of course I have needs:

• I want the ability to edit my Facebook status without having to login to an interface.
• I want this update to be available on multiple sites/applications similar to syndication.
• I want the solution to have multiple points of access for input via integration with other sites/application.

And the winner is (well… are):

• Twitter
• TwitterSync for Facebook
• Digsby (only if you want to edit your Twitter status via IM and want to centralize your IM accounts)
• Google Talk / Jabber / Live Journal account (only if you want to edit your Twitter status via IM)

Twitter
This is a one time setup; no need to maintain anything on Twitter after completing these steps.

1. Register on www.twitter.com
2. Setup cellphone (doesn’t need to be a smartphone) as a Device.
   Note: don’t forget to type +1 before your cell number
3. Setup your IM client (optional)
4. Under Settings >> Account, be sure to select “Protect my updates” to maintain your privacy.
5. Turn OFF the notifications to your cellphone if you don’t want to receive a text message every time a friend makes a Twitter update. Granted if you don’t have any Twitter contacts, then you shouldn’t receive any notifications.

TwitterSync for Facebook

1. Add TwitterSync as a Facebook application

–> At this point you can update your Twitter status via texting on your phone, and your Facebook status is updated automatically.

Note: If you are blocking TwitterSync in your Twitter account, the synchronization will fail.

Digsby
Digsby is a multi-client IM application that ties in email notifications and social network updates. It’s an optional step and it will give you the opportunity to centralize your IM accounts. Not many IM application combine Yahoo and MSN with Google Talk.
Digsby is currently available on Windows; Mac OS and Linux version to follow.

1. Go to www.digsby.com and download the application.
2. Under Digsby Preferences, setup your various IM Accounts, Email Accounts and Social Networks including your new Twitter account
3. Add twitter@twitter.com as an IM contact and send the verification code provided by Twitter on your Device setup page.

–> Now you can update your Twitter status by texting and via IM, which will then update your Facebook profile status.

Beyond Facebook
You Twitter status can be added to your MySpace profile, your blog or your own website. One point of entry – e.g. texting on your phone – will update your profile status ‘everywhere’.

The developer of TwitterSync added a note about similar Twitter sync tool with MySpace. Due to MySpace’s currently lenient security, the developer expressed a warning against the sync tool with MySpace.