By Stephanie Ou
While people are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the cell phone and its first call today, Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook are prepping for their press event, strategically named, “Come See Our New Home On Android,” which will be held, Thursday, April 4th, at its headquarters in Menlo Park, CA. The idea of a Facebook Phone was first introduced in late 2010, and ever since then, Zuckerberg and Facebook have gone back and forth, reporting and denying the rumor mill and its talks of a Facebook Phone. However, Zuckerberg did make a comment that the company is not in the hardware business, but never addressed the software part.
Speculations are filling the news on what exactly Zuckerberg will be announcing tomorrow afternoon at Facebook’s press event. Some sources suspect that Zuckerberg will introduce its own software that will run alongside the Android software. The software will provide users with extra Facebook functionality in addition to the applications that are already offered on the Google Play Store. Leaked reports and photos speculate that the software may be called “Facebook Home,” alluding to Facebook’s press event title. Every screen of an Android user’s phone will have the capability to update one’s profile and the main or lock screen will enable users to view new messages and updates. In addition to that immediate Facebook access, the homescreen of the user’s phone will focus directly on Facebook. But with Facebook Home software, users need a platform for the OS to operate on. Leaks indicate that Facebook may have partnered with HTC, a Taiwanese phone maker, to create, in essence, a “Facebook Phone.” This Facebook Home software would be available only on the HTC phone which is likely to be called the “HTC First.”
Opinions on this HTC phone with “Facebook Home” span a wide range. Some sources believe that the timing for this “Facebook Phone” type is no longer right because the market for third place after iPhones and Androids is too crowded. Also, the speculation of a Facebook Phone began in 2010 when Androids were lacking in functionality, but since then, the Android has improved its performance substantially. On the other hand, other people in the technology industry think Facebook Home has great potential. While this may not be the “Facebook Phone” that first was in the talks a few years ago, the speculations of what Facebook will announce Thursday seem to be a “Facebook Phone” that could bring Facebook immediately to the fingertips of any cell phone user.