Facebook's revamp of its security settings will also include the demise of its standalone "Places" location app for smartphones. Instead, users will be able to add their locations "from anywhere," whether it's the Web or an app.
Until now, Facebook users could only check in to locations with the Places feature on a smartphone. Going forward, however, Facebook is opening location settings to a wider audience and more features.
"Lots of people use Facebook to talk about where they are, have been or want to go," Facebook said in a blog post. "Now you can add location from anywhere, regardless of what device you are using, or whether it is a status update, photo or Wall post. Of course, you can always choose not to add location at all."
Specifically, location options will be in-line, or right on your Facebook profile. To add location, click the new icon and type in the name of a place or event. If you're there with other Facebook friends, click the people icon and type in their names. You can select who sees these updates and other people can tag you at a location, but you now have the option to reviews posts in which you are tagged before they show up on your profile.
"Check-ins are now just status updates that include location," Facebook said.
With this switch, Facebook said it will be "phasing out the mobile-only Places feature." The company is currently in the process of removing Places-related settings; if you're posting from a Facebook mobile app that does not yet support inline controls, it will follow your new default privacy setting, the company said.
Facebook Places made its debut in August 2010 with backing from companies like Foursquare and Gowalla. At the time, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg said Places had three goals: helping share where you are in a nice and social way, to see who's around you, and just discover new and cool places to visit in the future. At launch, users could only check in to places, not events like a movie or concert.
For more, see PCMag's Hands On with Facebook Places and the slideshow below.