{"id":649873,"date":"2013-04-01T12:13:01","date_gmt":"2013-04-01T16:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gigaom.com\/?p=625996"},"modified":"2013-04-01T12:13:01","modified_gmt":"2013-04-01T16:13:01","slug":"software-leak-shows-the-likely-facebook-phone-specs-and-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mereja.media\/index\/649873","title":{"rendered":"Software leak shows the likely Facebook phone specs and features"},"content":{"rendered":"

One has to keep some skepticism on April Fool’s Day, but a software teardown of a reportedly leaked version of Facebook’s software has the smell of\u00a0legitimacy. Android Police claims to have the software that will run on Facebook’s own phone<\/a>, as well as on other Android devices. Facebook has a planned press event<\/a> to show off its new “home on Android” later this week.<\/p>\n

Why does the software leak seem like it could be the real deal to me? Because it fits exactly what I expect to hear out of the Facebook mobile event: A new homescreen dedicated to Facebook apps as well as a low-end to mid-range piece of hardware from HTC to showcase the software. And that’s exactly what Android Police has found through close examination of the software leak.<\/p>\n

First the actual phone itself, specifications of which are found in the software. The HTC Myst — likely a codename — is expected to run on a 1 GHz dual-core chip from Qualcomm, with 1 GB of memory and a 4.3-inch display with 720p resolution. A pair of cameras, with 5 megapixel and 1.6 megapixel sensors, is likely to be included as will support for Bluetooth 4.0 and 802.11 a\/b\/g Wi-Fi. Look for the phone on AT&T if the software information is correct.<\/p>\n

\"chacha-4\"<\/a>In terms of software, Android Police notes that the Facebook-specific build has all the permissions necessary to manage and be an Android homescreen. That homescreen will work with HTC Sense devices and Samsung’s TouchWiz customized Android software; that makes sense because history has already proven that a dedicated Facebook phone won’t be a big seller. Remember the HTC ChaCha<\/a>? The only way for Facebook to have a successful “phone” is to leverage the Android devices already on the market by taking more control of the user experience.<\/p>\n

That experience will likely be comprised of Facebook apps taking over duties for core Android apps: Messenger, Photos, Places and even the free Facebook voice calls that were introduced earlier this year<\/a>. All of this would make it easier for users to lean on Facebook as a platform, as opposed to Android. It’s not a question in mind if Facebook is going down this road, but I do wonder how many Android users will actually install a dedicated Facebook home screen and rely on it as their primary mobile interface.<\/p>\n

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