The Facebook phone rumours are now getting interesting. After tons of rumours about the new phone or the lack of it, @evleaks has finally lifted the lid of what the April 4th event will be. For those hoping for an Android app overhaul, you’re in for a big disappointment. The leak twitter handle confirms our worst suspicions. Facebook is launching a phone.
For all the collective sighs we hear, we’re not enthralled by this new phone news either. Considering maximum Facebook traffic and income is now driven by the mobile platform, we’re guessing the social networking giant decided to monopolise it completely. Why have an app when you can have a complete phone? Also, this might have something to do with their rivalry with Google, Amazon and the other tech giants. However, why would Facebook choose to use their “rival’s” software for their new phone is a question best left untouched.
Anyways, back to topic. According to leaks by @evleaks, the Facebook ‘Home and Android’ event is definitely for a new phone. Facebook seemingly has collaborated with HTC for the launch of this new phone. How monotonous and unsurprising (read HTC Salsa and HTC ChaCha)! The new phone rumoured to be called HTC Opera (when the rumours were at their peak last year) – and now HTC Myst, will finally be called HTC First it seems. Why ‘HTC First’ once again escapes logic as this is actually the third HTC-Facebook collaboration for a phone.
On the left of the ‘Home’ button is the standard Back arrow button. On the right, from what we see is an interesting one single line. Does this signify the ‘more’ feature or does this signify the timeline? Honestly, the weird bottom symbols have us stumped.
Nothing else is visible though other sources have claimed that the phone will run on the latest Android version and will be powered by a dual-core processor under the hood. Internal memory is said to be 16 GB (only one variant with no expandable memory slot) and the RAM at 1 GB. The phone is expected to come with a 4.3-inch screen. We would sure love to know if HTC is carrying over their recent love for Super LCD2 screens to the HTC First.We’re still racking our brains as to what ‘unique’ the phone will offer. Facebook Messenger, Pages Manager, Instagram and the likes are a must but what else? A phone that takes you directly to the timeline on unlocking? That sends your messages as Facebook Messages instead of SMS? That directly shares every picture you click on the site? The previous ‘Facebook Phones’ the Salsa and ChaCha did little other than have a dedicated hardware Facebook button at the bottom of the screen making the phone look decidedly awkward. The button acted as nothing but a quick-fix to the Facebook app. We honestly have no idea as to the ‘innovations’ HTC has come up with for the phone this time but seeing the competition out there, they better be good. Real good!
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