Pimping FriendFeed: 40+ Useful Apps, Widgets, and Plugins

Are you FF’ing? “FF,” short for FriendFeed, has been touted as a replacement for Twitter (it’s not) and as this year’s Twitter (only in the ‘hotness’ factor). FriendFeed isn’t Twitter, as it’s the hottest social network aggregator to hit the Web, whereas Twitter is the hottest way to post quick thoughts and links. Plus, anyone with a FriendFeed account can add Twitter to their FriendFeed feed along with forty other applications such as Digg, Flickr and YouTube.

The problem with FriendFeed is that it was, until March 2008, just one more way to find out what posters were up to in their business and personal lives across the board; and, anyone who has used FriendFeed can tell you that this aggregated feed sometimes can become overwhelming. But, when FriendFeed released their API in March 2008, a frenzy of FriendFeed apps, widgets and plugins appeared to make FriendFeed friendlier. This API is designed to make it possible for anyone to improve FriendFeed or integrate FriendFeed into other applications. Developers can develop a FriendFeed interface for a mobile phone, build a FriendFeed widget for your blog, or develop an application that makes it easy to post photos to your feed from your iPhone. And, they’ve done just that, only not fast enough for non-developers! But, it seems that new developments are being published daily, so be patient and try out the apps listed below while you wait.

The following list was created to update users on over forty developments to date that can be used to refine FriendFeed to your taste. We say, “40+” as you’ll find links to pages in the list below that contain even more lists of apps, so you’re dealing with at least 60+ applications through this article. Some apps demand Firefox, and others are cross-platform downloads. Some widgets and plugins are for Web developers and others are designed for mobile users. Each app, widget and plugin is listed alphabetically under each category, but we don’t favor one application over another. In fact, this list is meant only to be a list and not an endorsement of any of these applications.

Cross-Platform Apps

The following applications are usable for anyone, no matter if you operate on Windows, Mac or Linux. If you can connect to the Internet, then you’re ready to roll, as some apps, widgets and plugins are usable only through a Web interface. Other FriendFeed tools are downloads for your desktop. One note: If you find an app that is based upon Adobe AIR, then you know that app has been built for cross-platform use.

AlertThingy: This desktop application is one of the first applications built on the new FriendFeed API. It allows users to see the data stream from people they follow and to post new messages directly to the service. Users also can comment on posted items and bookmark them. As a plus, creator Howard Baines provides users with the ability to send and receive tweets with Twitter and post photos to Flickr as well. The installer will set up Adobe AIR upon installation, so Adobe AIR need not be preinstalled.
Feedalizr: This is an app created from Adobe AIR, so anyone from Windows to Linux users can download this desktop tool and use it. Once downloaded, add your user name and API Key to view a stream of updates from around the Web on your desktop. FriendFeed users can post directly through Feedalizr and read streams. This app also feeds from Twitter, Jaiku and Flickr.
FriendVenn: Confused about who you are subscribed to and who has subscribed to you? This Web tool divides your FriendFeed relationships into a Venn diagram that will help you see this information clearly, along with mutual subscriptions.
Gridjit: Although Gridjit has made its debut with Twitter, it’s in private alpha mode to bring FriendFeed into the fold. Gridjit will present your FriendFeed timeline as multiple columns. Sign up for the release.
My Social AIR: This desktop client splits Twitter and FriendFeed into tabs, and it supports video, picture viewing, avatars and thread rendering on FriendFeed. Although this is a beta, it’s received rave reviews. This app also is supported by Adobe AIR.
Posty: Posty, which is based upon Adobe AIR, allows users to stream FriendFeed as well as Twitter, Jaiku, Tumblr and Pownce. Just enter a post and select the networks where you want to send the update. You also can send the update to all five social networks at once.
Twhirl: Yes, this is a Twitter client, but the creators added a FriendFeed client shortly after the Twhirl debut. The FriendFeed app opens in a separate window, and this client is based upon the Adobe AIR platform.
Swurl: Bring FriendFeed into Swurl to create a blog and a calendar that documents your updates across the board. Unlike other apps, Swurl is a FriendFeed competitor, as you also can bring WordPress entries (even self-hosted sites), TypePad and Blogger, Facebook, Blockbuster, Netflix, StumbleUpon and more into your Swurl page. In addition, you can follow friends from FriendFeed at Swurl, but they’ll only be able to follow you if you hand out your Swurl domain name.

Firefox Apps

If you see the word, “Greasemonkey,” you might think “Firefox,” as Greasemonkey scripts define Firefox add-ons. The following list contains Greasemonkey scripts for FriendFeed that any Firefox browser will soak up like a sponge. If you’re interested in developing Greasemonkey scripts or if you merely want to stay on top of latest developments, you can peek into or join the Greasemonkey Room at FriendFeed.

Add Subscribe: This script, developed by Hao Chen, allows Firefox users to add a “subscribe” button for the people you aren’t subscribed to on the FriendFeed “Subscribed to Me” page.
Filter FriendFeed by Service: This app allows Firefox users to view a box with all of the service icons, and then filter the public timeline, your friends timeline, or any user’s timeline by service (such as Twitter, Digg, etc.).
FriendFeed Apps: This link will take you to a page with several apps offered by FriendFeed. Use tabs, show domains, add a sticky search and more with these addictive applications. All the applications on this page require Firefox, as they’re built as Greasemonkey scripts.
FriendFeed Profile: This Greasemonkey script, also developed by Hao Chen, allows users to import a Twitter profile and display it on FriendFeed. This script will only work if the user has his or her Twitter stream imported into FriendFeed.
FriendFeed Tabs: This link will take you to a list of tabs released in June this year. You can tab Twitter, Plurk, Readburner and more. This is an easy way to define incoming updates.
Internet Duct Tape FriendFeed Apps: These all are Greasemonkey scripts written for Firefox users. Start with this link to grab three apps: ‘Unsubscribe,’ ‘Who Are You’ and ‘Better By Service.’ At the bottom of their page you’ll find at least five or more scripts that will enhance your FriendFeed experience through Firefox.
MySocial 24×7: This download is a sidebar extension designed specifically for Firefox, and it allows users to explore FriendFeed through the “Everyone,” “Friends,” and your own feed. You can comment and ‘like’ any entry and you can reply to an entry via Twitter. MySocial 24×7 also supports Windows alerts and FFb3 on Mac with Growl. You must be logged in and know your ‘remote key’ to view all but the ‘Everyone’ feeds.
Read Later: This script adds a “Later” link under every post and a “Read Later” tab to the top. This is a great way to save updates for later viewing without having to search through a timeline twice (or more!).
Remove Visited Links: This Greasemonkey app helps to clean up a timeline by removing all visited links.

FriendFeed Apps

The following apps, widgets and plugins were created by an/ord are distributed through FriendFeed or through FriendFeed and another online presence such as Google (not including search and filter techniques listed at the end of this article):

FriendFeed | Facebook: If you maintain a Facebook presence, you can merge your Facebook into FriendFeed and vice-versa.
FriendFeed | iGoogle: This Web application is another way to connect to FriendFeed through an already popular online application.
FriendFeed Bookmarklet: This link isn’t easy to find on the FriendFeed site, but here you go…This tool allows users to go beyond the “share” feature to bookmark a page to FriendFeed along with a thumbnail of that Web page.
FriendFeed Embed: Nothing like advertising all your online activities on your Web site — and FriendFeed provides that ability through their ‘cut-and-paste’ one-line script. Just input your user name in the ‘title’ space, or use this URL: “http://FriendFeed.com/embed?user=yourname” and replace “yourname” with your user name.

Windows and Mac Users Only

Thanks to Adobe AIR, few apps have been developed that are not cross-platform. The following two apps, however, are useful to those individuals who run Windows OS or Mac computers:

bTT: This creation by Sobees allows Windows XP and .NET users to download a desktop app that helps to organize feeds and friends’ incoming content in a way that’s beneficial to the user. This tool aggregates information from multiple followers, where you can then take out the data you want to see through customization options.
Fluid: With Fluid, Mac users can create SSBs (Site Specific Browsers) to run favorite WebApps as a single separate Cocoa desktop application. Fluid gives any WebApp a home on your Mac OS X desktop complete with Dock icon, standard menu bar, logical separation from other web browsing activities, and many, many other goodies.

Mobile Users

While FriendFeed now plays nice with the iPhone and iPod Touch’s built-in Safari browser, few apps, widgets and plugins have been created for the mobile user to gain access to their FriendFeed accounts. The following list might be useful to those individuals who need to be on the run, but it’s a short list, to be sure! If you want to try to pull more social networking into your phone, you might try the new betas xumii or jibe.

FF to Go: This Web app was created by Benjamin Grubb, the same genius who created Tweet2Tweet and RSSMeme. To use this app, simply go to the link through your mobile, insert your ‘remote key’ and grab your FriendFeed in its entirety, including the ability to comment.
iPhone: At the end of June this year, FriendFeed announced a new version of their site that is optimized for the iPhone. This new version maintains an increased font size and includes a new “Post photos from your phone” link. When iPhone users log into FriendFeed, the new site will automatically appear.
MojiPage: MojiPage is a personalized homepage for your mobile phone, and they’ve developed a widget that allows users to view (and to view only) their FriendFeed account, including comments and ‘likes.’ It does not allow users to comment at this point.

Web Apps, Widgets and Plugins

If you maintain a Web site, blog or other online presence and you want to incorporate FriendFeed into your site, then you might find the following list of interest:

FriendFeed Activity Widget: This is a simple WordPress widget that pulls your FriendFeed stream, pretties it up a bit and shares it with visitors to your blog.
FriendFeed Comments Movable Type Plugin: This plugin for Movable Type enables you to import and display comments made using FriendFeed on your entries. You can also use the plugin to enable your blog commenter to “Cc.” their comments to FriendFeed, but only if they have a FriendFeed account.
FriendFeed Comments WordPress Plugin: This plugin will allows users to display on a blog the comments that people make on FriendFeed about your post. The plugin creates a snippet of code that you can drop into your template somewhere inside ‘the loop.’
FriendFeed Comments WordPress Widget: This WordPress widget takes comments and ‘likes’ from your FriendFeed posts and places them on a related post. The comments include the person’s name, a link to their FriendFeed profile and image. Your blog readers can comment on your posts directly on a form displayed directly under the FriendFeed comment. This last feature can be turned off if you wish.
FriendFeed Rooms WordPress Widget: If you’re involved in a FriendFeed “room,” then you might enjoy this widget. It allows users to comment to the room, to another comment in the room, bookmark comments and refresh the conversation. This is a WordPress widget, and it is public, installed into a blog, and the conversations are search-engine friendly. Users need a ‘remote key,’ or a password assigned to anyone who has a FriendFeed account.
FriendFeed Widget: This widget enables you to keep up-to-date on the web pages, photos, videos and music that your friends and family are sharing. You cannot comment or ‘like’ any update, but the great feature is the photo and video capability. Limited size customizing ability, but plenty of skins available.
Lifestream Widget: This is an embeddable FriendFeed widget created by Arvind Narayanan that can fit into any Web site. You can control the width, height and background color and the generator hands over a script that you can add to your Web page. This widget shows only your activity on FriendFeed.
SocialFeed Widget: Simply input your user ID for FriendFeed, and the SocialFeed widget will display your latest updates. You also can customize this widget to display content from your favorite users in FriendFeed as well as eight other social network clients. This widget has skins and is customizable.

Search and Filters

FriendFeed rolled out a search feature in March this year, and registered users can search for friends’ shared items, an individual person’s items, or search all of FriendFeed. You also can restrict your search in an advanced option for any of the services that FriendFeed supports. For instance, you can search for a friend’s tweets or you can search for anything anyone says about you. Beyond this, the following apps, widgets, plugins and Web pages will help you further filter and search FriendFeed:

iGoogle FriendFeed Search: Add this widget to your iGoogle page to search for friends at FriendFeed.
FriendFeed Machine: This Web app enables users to filter between true “close friends” and those you just want to follow. This allows you to find your friends amid the FriendFeed noise while also identifying the tool that they use for communication (Twitter, Digg, etc.).
FriendFeedSpy: If you want noise, this Web site app, created by Michele Marcucci, will provide it. Every update from every user flies by on this page. On the other hand, once you log in you can filter the feed by service — Twitter, Digg, YouTube etc. Furthermore, you can log into your FriendFeed account, and this gives you the ability to instantly like or comment any item that passes by.
Google FriendFeed Search: If you don’t want to add the iGoogle app to your iGoogle page, then just go straight to this Web site to use the Google search to find friends at FriendFeed. Or, just go to Google and type, “site:FriendFeed.com searchword,” where ’searchword’ will be replaced by the word that you want to find.
mioNews: mioNews combines an interface similar to Google Reader with the ability to sort items by “like” and “hate,” as well as the option to follow specific topics. The coolness factor in mioNews is — going back to the Google Reader layout — that you can choose to read just the titles or a short summary of the update. A reading pane, which is similar to Microsoft’s Outlook, allows users to read the entire item. Users also can share, comment, add the item as a ‘like’ or a ‘hate.’ You also can mark items as ‘read.’
Moopz: This Web app presents a sidebar with the popular posts, a tag cloud as well as a list of quiet posts. You can login with your FriendFeed username and remote key to ‘like’ and ‘comment’ on Moopz items, which are filtered by topic. This site helps to reduce FriendFeed’s ‘noise’ greatly, as it searches for and aggregates similar links and conversations.
NoiseRiver: This new app allows users to filter out noise while searching for entries that highlight chosen keywords. Log in when you arrive at the link and set your preferences with a sliding scale (”love” to “hate”). You can eliminate the “hate” keywords totally by hiding all communication that contains those words. This is a great tool for keyword searches, and users can post from the app as well.