Microsoft has released in beta a new Facebook application despite the availability of the official app in the Windows Phone store as a free download. The new Facebook app is quite different in its design, and has a few cool features not found in the official app.

One thing to note, the new Facebook application is still work in progress (read: beta), so one should expect to come across bugs and other issues associated with unfinished apps.

The big question is, why did Microsoft choose to create its own Facebook application? Well, it appears the company is doing this to help speed up delivery of new features to the official Facebook applications, and looks like this little plan might just pay off.

So far, many users have found the application to be rich in features and performs quite a lot better compared to the official app. This could force Facebook to put more focus on Windows Phone or watch users skip the official Facebook app for a third party Facebook apps from Microsoft and other developers.

The new Facebook app brings to the table support for high-resolution photos, Facebook Timeline and post sharing. You can even tell who is online from within the app without having to leave to check in the basic built-in Facebook app in Windows Phone 8. That is basically all that you're getting at this point. Hopefully the official Facebook app will deliver these features soon.

Microsoft Facebook beta for Windows Phone 8 description:

"Facebook for Windows Phone makes it easy to stay connected and share information with friends. Thanks for being a part of our beta and helping make Facebook even better on Windows Phone. Along with all the great new features, there could be some bugs. Help us build a better app by sending feedback via Settings > About in the app."

If you want to give the app a spin, download it here. If you're attemptting to search for it within the Windows Phone store, you won't find it, so use the link provided here.