We're just a few moments away from discovering exactly what Facebook's new home on Android actually entails, and if you want to watch a live stream of the event based at the social network's California headquarters, we've got an embedded link coming up after the break as well as a quick run through of what we expect from the event itself.
Yesterday, the famously-accurate Twitter handle evleaks distributed what were thought to be press renders of the HTC First Facebook Phone, the initial device set to run Facebook's new socially-orientated Android launcher. Today, the same source is back with more information pertaining the software itself, and not only does it look set to offer a great deal more than your typical launcher, it also offers a beautiful user interface.
Earlier on, sources revealed that Facebook's big revelation at Facebook Home on April 4th would entail an all-new operating system from the social outfit, based on Android. Much in the way Amazon offers its own, custom OS atop Google's open-source ecosystem, Zuck is said to be about to reveal a similar offering tailored to the world's largest social network, and now, AndroidPolice has gotten its hands on a system software dump of the very first device said to carry the new software.
We told you just recently about the invites that Facebook has sent out, asking the press to join Mark Zuckerberg and co at the company's Menlo Park HQ. Whilst the invite makes mention of a new home on Android, the context of such a phrase was rather cryptic, leaving us all to wonder just what Facebook has up its sleeve. Now, thanks to claims by a fellow blog, it seems we may have some answers.
Facebook has sent out press invitations to an event set to be held on Thursday, April 4th at its Menlo Park HQ in California, and although it would appear from the invite as though the topic of conversation will be Android-related, all sorts of theories are already being offered as to what Mark Zuckerberg's company has up its sleeve. It may well just be that the social network has overhauled the Android app, bringing a series of new and cutting-edge features. But with previous movements and rumors suggesting the company is keen to release a new round of Facebook-branded smartphones or perhaps its own, Facebook-centric OS based on Google's ecosystem, the potential for things to get really interesting is perhaps higher than usual.
Facebook is the world’s most favored and popular social network for a reason; the web application-plus-social platform has evolved so much over time, that if you were to put its earlier editions next to the current shape and look of the website, you would barely be able to make any connection (except maybe the familiar blues). From the photo sharing experience to availability (and playability) of the games, the groups and assorted communications, the improved messaging interface and the integrated video calling, along with almost everything else, has improved by leaps and bounds over time. However, that doesn’t imply that all areas of Facebook are an absolute delight, and one of the worse examples comes in the form of Facebook Chat.
So-called "social" smartphones have tried, and as yet failed spectacularly to create any legitimate niche within the market. With 1+ billion on Facebook and many millions more using the likes of Twitter, the social smartphone should, at least on paper, be an easy sell; but as HTC found out with the ChaCha and Salsa, not everybody likes to dance is so keen to buy into the idea of a device tailored to the social networks. Undeterred, the "quietly brilliant" Taiwanese company looks set for another stab with its 'Myst' handset, and if a specs leak via Unwired View's evleaks is to be believed, the mid-range handset sounds like a decent effort.
For the longest of time, Facebook’s most prominent feature has been the News Feed, which is now the default way that many of us stay in touch with our friends and acquaintances over the Internet. At an event on Thursday, from Facebook’s headquarters in Menlo Park, California, Mark Zuckerberg took the stage and announced a major redesign to this well-known feature in order to adapt to make pictures, places, third-party apps and more much more prominent.
The official Facebook app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users has just been bumped up to version 5.5, and features, amongst other things, a brand-new button design which, it is claimed, makes it easier to comment, like and share posts in the News Feed. More details, as well as the download link, are coming up after the break.
Although its original, digital gifts solution went down like a lead balloon, Facebook has placed much emphasis on its intention to offer a streamlined gift services to its 1.06 billion active user base. The social network enjoyed a very successful last quarter, and although there was little in terms of an update on the state of play of the Facebook Gifts during yesterday's earnings report, Mark Zuckerberg and Co. have been busily preparing the foundations for a fully-fledged assault on the associated market, manifested by today's launch of the Facebook Card.
