LinkedIn goes Android

The new LinkedIn application for Android makes its debut just ahead of the holidays and the Consumer Electronics Show in January. The app is being offered as a public beta. In order to get it, LinkedIn users must sign into their account and then join the LinkedIn for Android Group. Once logged in and all joined up, LinkedIn will share instructions on how to download the application and install it.

According to LinkedIn, it starts off with the basics. The key features allow users to view updates from their professional connections; search for other professionals via a number of different parameters; respond to invitations to join groups or connect with other professionals; and the ability to reach out and contact LinkedIn connections.

Some of the content visible on the “Updates” homepage include your contacts’ new connections, changes to their profiles, as well as content that they choose to share via LinkedIn’s online tools.  For some professionals, access to LinkedIn is a vital resource. It’s a great place to cull knowledge about potential clients or find out more about the professionals you meet when out of the office. LinkedIn says that the search function built into the Android app is the fastest search tool it offers. Naturally, once a user has located someone with whom they’d like to connect, the app makes it easy to reach out and initiate contact.

LinkedIn leaves out some of the more advanced features in this beta version of the software, but notes that those features are on the way. LinkedIn said that Android app users can expect to see updated versions of the beta roll out within months, eventually adding features such as access to users’ LinkedIn inbox, the ability to comment on connections’ updates, as well as exploring the “people you may know” tool.

LinkedIn for Android requires devices running 2.1 Froyo and up. LinkedIn is already available for the iPhone and BlackBerries.