It’s been quite a year for Nokia Beta Labs. Even in the last few weeks we've seen Ovi Suite and Ovi Maps come out of Beta and hit 'Full Status'. However, before any app gets to this stage, the Beta Labs guys have to put a great deal of effort into getting it just right. With that in mind, we thought we'd take a look at Social Networking an app that is taking its first fumbling Beta labs steps. Check out Nokia's Social Networking Widget after the jump...

What we like about Nokia Beta Labs is that development is extremely open and feels as though you have a direct input into how an app will develop. After all, user feedback is actively encouraged. What's more, without our help the apps would take longer to appear.

Take the new Social Networking widget, for instance. While this app is very much still in beta mode, it's available for download from the Nokia Beta Labs for the Nokia N97 and Nokia 6700 devices.

Social Networking features an integrated, multi-network social widget that allows users to view, post, and comment on Facebook, as well as share their location and status on the go - so if you want to me up for a coffee, you simply post it, and people in your area can see whereabouts you are.

At present, the client only supports Facebook, but as the development process progresses more social networking sites will be added, such as Myspace and Twitter. In addition, when the application goes fully live it will be offered as messaging services bundle with operators providing access to Mail, Chat and Communities all for one fixed low price.

So far, there’s been some very positive feedback about Nokia Social Networking and there is very much a lively debate about this app going on over at the Nokia Beta Labs Forum. Here are some of the comments that are helping shape the development of this app.

“Posting a picture from the camera was easy. Checking messages, status updates, making comments on posts, liking posts. It all seems to be there and works well. Better than the facebook app for the N97 in my opinion and its only a beta.”

“One slight issue - Exit and option buttons are small in landscape mode and is difficult to hit accurately. May need to enlarge them.”

“I agree, Much more functionality than the current facebook app. (Will this replace that eventually?)”

“Can even be put on the homescreen as a widget.”

Have you tried this new widget out yet? Tell us about your experiences in the Comments below.