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HTC Facebook Phone

'Come See Our New Home on Android': Facebook announces event convincing industry that it will launch a Facebook Phone

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By Jennifer Faull, Deputy Editor

March 30, 2013 | 2 min read

Facebook has announced it will be holding an event on April 4 at its California headquarters, sending invitations bearing the message ‘Come See Our New Home on Android’.

Industry insiders are convinced that this marks Facebook’s foray into the mobile phone business, suggesting a Facebook-branded phone will be unveiled at the event.

Thus far, Facebook has given no more clues, however a source has leaked that the company has been collaborating with HTC – a whose software is a customised version of Google's Android operating system.

Rumours have suggested it will have the same sleek, black look of an iPhone, but with a larger display. The camera and memory will be standard, but will be compensated for with the software.

According to reports, Facebook services will run seamlessly on the phone, including Instagram and Facebook Instant Messaging apps, and will have a home screen displaying the owner's news feed.

According to 9to5Google, an advertising campaign for HTC and Facebook is already underway, using the the strapline "more than just an app."

Google reporter Mark Gurman wrote: "The advertisements are designed to focus on the potential user of the device, not on the hardware or software."

Mark Zuckerberg has previously spoken on the possibility of a Facebook phone, he told investors in January: "You have a good version of all the Facebook features you know and want on your phone. So now the next thing we're going to do is get really good at building new mobile-first experiences.

"That's going to be a big theme for us this year."

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