Facebook reportedly working on celebrities-only mobile app

Facebook is reportedly working on a new app that will only be offered to the celebrities among us, according to sources who spoke with the folks over at AllThingsD. This app is tailored to the social needs of celebrities, simplifying the process of dealing with fans while giving an added incentive to use the social network over, for example, Twitter.

Being called the VIP app, Facebook is reportedly already testing it with a "small group" of celebrities, though who exactly qualifies as a celebrity wasn't defined. These users will be able to use the app for rapidly monitoring talk that is going on about them, sending out responses to fans, and other similar activities.

The VIP app is said to be in the beginning stages of development. While Facebook has simplified tracking certain public posts in recent times with the addition of hashtags, Twitter still has an advantage in terms of tracking conversations over other social networks, which does so with the use of @user replies. This Facebook app is supposed to fill the gap.

Said one Facebook spokesperson to the folks at AllThingsD, "We are currently testing some mobile features designed to help public figures interact with their fans. We are testing these features with a small group of partners and wil share more details should we roll it out more widely."

Thus far, the more particular details – specifically how the app works, how it will be distributed if it is made available, which celebrities are currently using it, time frame, etc. – aren't known. But if the software pans out, we should be hearing more from Facebook on the matter.

SOURCE: AllThingsD