We knew Facebook was planning to overhaul it's "gift shop" feature, but what we didn't know -- nor did anyone else, it seems -- was to what extent. Speculation suggested it would mainly transform into a music-swapping front, and while music is part of the gift shop, there's also a whole bunch more.
"We now are unveiling a newly stocked and redesigned Gift Shop, with new categories of gifts and additional gifts for charity, music, and sports from developers," Facebook's Will Chen wrote in a blog. "With so many gifts available, we also introduced a new design to make it easeir for you to browse and purchase gifts with different gift categories."
U.S. residents will be able to purchase songs as gifts for friends in the "Music and MP3s" section, which will contain over 8 million songs through a partnership with Lala, Chen said. Web songs will cost a single credit (equivalent to 10 cents), while downloadable, DRM-free tunes will run 9 credits each.
In the sports section, Facebook buffs will have access to officially licensed gifts from the NBA, MLS, and several college sports teams.
Facebook's gift shop will also deal with "Real Gifts," "Charity," "Virtual Gifts," and "E-Cards."