UPDATE 8/18 @ 2:50PM It looks like RIM pulled Facebook 1.8.0 from the Beta Zone. According to an email forwarded to me by a reader, this “was done in error and the program has since been closed and is no longer available”. Bummer… *

A few days ago I posted about RIM publishing the key features for Facebook for BlackBerry version 1.8. At the time I thought that meant RIM was getting ready for a public release but it didn’t happen. Instead, Anish let me know that they’ve posted a “Facebook 1.8.0 Carrier Preview” in the BlackBerry Beta Zone!

I’m assuming carrier preview means only users on certain carriers will have access to this beta, which means a slow rollout until it’s ready for either an open beta or public release. According to another friend, the public release should be happening within the next few weeks. If you’d like a preview of Facebook 1.8 be sure to sign in to the Beta Zone at blackberry.com/beta to see if you’re eligible!