Facebook brought a recently rumored Android overlay to life today, Facebook Home, along with the first handset to carry it, the appropriately named HTC First.
Rather than making its own handset, or forking Android to create the Facebook operating system outright, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that as a Google Play download, Home can reach the maximum number of users.
"Our community has more than 1 billion people in it," he said. "A really good phone would only get to one or 2 percent of that."
That's nice rhetoric, but the elephant in the Facebook press conference room was, "What about Apple?"
Zuck answers
Again and again, Zuckerberg highlighted the openness of the Android platform, a feature that ultimately allowed Facebook to develop the Home overlay to fit on top of the operating system. He played the PR game, but his message about why Facebook went after Android devices is clear:
"We have a great relationship with Apple, and the way you work on all these operating systems is pretty different," Zuckerberg said during a post-conference Q&A. "So Apple is a very controlled environment.
"The good news there is we have this long, good relationship with Apple. We are integrated into the operating system, we have an active dialogue to do more with them, but ultimately anything that happens with Apple is going through partnership with them.
"Now Google is aware of what we're doing, we've talked with them about this and all of that, but fundamentally Android is just a more open system, so we don't have to work directly with them in order to build an experience like this or even go deeper than what we're talking about today.
"They've designed Android from the ground up to support deep integration like this."
Why work when you have these crazy cats to hang out with?
If you're in the office now, look around you. The people you see looking at their smartphones are probably playing Temple Run.
This according to apps analytics firm Flurry which has posted some revealing stats breaking down how we use our phones. Looking at only US data, Flurry sees smartphones users spending 2 hours and 38 minutes a day on phones, with 32 percent of that time in games.
20 percent of the remaining time is spent using web browsers, and only 2 percent of the time in productivity apps. Shocked? Your boss is.
The only single app named in the data is Facebook, which accounts for a remarkable 18 percent of smartphone usage, or about 30 minutes a day for the average user. This dominates all other forms of social media which only account for 6 percent of the time in the research, as a collected figure of everything that isn't Facebook.
Blips are TechRadar's new news nuggets that you'll find percolating through the homepage - or you can see them all by hitting the blip keyword below.
It’s still too early to say whether T-Mobile’s recent change to its “ UNcarrier” approach has made a huge splash in the American cell phone service market, but it’s obvious enough that the other carriers have taken notice. It’s pretty universally known that people don’t like contracts, but what is the best way to get rid of them while still maintaining a high level of customer retention?
When asked whether they too would consider getting rid of two-year contracts, Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam said it was something on the table and that it would be “pretty easy” to change their current model to accommodate the new system. This doesn’t mean that Verizon is going to be dropping its contracts any time soon; it just means that they’re open to the idea. And that’s really just the safest PR answer the CEO could give. After all, it’s better to say you’re open to it and never do it than to say you’re against it and then do it anyway.
Realistically, the T-Mobile “UNcarrier” approach is still like a contract, but without the traditional contract. You’re simply paying for the phone in installments over the course of a 24-month period, so you’re still tied to Old Magenta as long as you still owe money on the phone. Of course, you could just buy those phones outright. Up here in Canada, several carriers offer a “tab” system that works in a similar way, except you’re not really paying installments; rather you are given a “free” credit with each monthly bill you pay. Again, it’s like a contract, but not really.
If you were in the position of Verizon, Sprint or AT&T, how would you handle the situation? Would it just be business as usual with the 24-month service agreements or would you propose something different like what T-Mobile has done?
Say hello to the HTC First, the first phone to highlight Facebook Home, an Android overlay newly introduced by the social network.
This is not a Facebook phone, nor is it not a Facebook phone. Confusing? Yes, but what we mean is that this is a phone built by HTC with Facebook DNA. You can turn Home off, but that sort of defeats the First's purpose.
Immediately upon turning on the First (after the obligatory Android opening), users are greeted with a log in screen to sync their Facebook accounts with the Home experience.
What Home, and by extension, the First, really boils down to are photos and content. A constant stream of images and captions merry-go-round through the home screen. The lockscreen is never the same - whenever it's turned on, a picture of your buddy skydiving, an underwater sea turtle, or the picnic you weren't invited to occupies the space.
Your lockscreen shows you images straight from Facebook
A little bubble of your profile image lives on the screen, a kind of mini-guide that when you press on it is ready to take you to app launcher (on the top), Messenger (on the left), and whatever app you used last (to the right).
Status updates are shown in a larger text to differentiate from photo captions. There's some Facebook mojo used to show the most interesting/Liked/commented-on images, with an eye to make it so content you would be compelled to interact with what's shown.
Hardware
As an actual piece of hardware, the First itself is fine enough, though definitely not a sleek, plasticized high-end handset.
Made of a rubberized material, the body is has an almost rugged feel. What is nice is that the 4.3-inch screen feels expansive, offering a canvas for users' photos to breathe. Resolution-wise we're looking at 1280 x 720.
At 125.6mm x 64.93mm x 8.96mm, it edges out the iPhone 5 in size. The actual edges of the device are softly rounded, and it weighs an appreciable 4.37 ounces.
From left: iPhone 4, iPhone 5 and the First
Compared to the iPhone 5, the screen pops in a really attractive way. We almost felt like moths being drawn to a lamp - it was hard to ignore the flow of pretty pictures.
All in all, the body feels like a carrier for what Facebook and HTC really want you to focus on - the Facebook Home experience.
Users can escape Home if they desire in Settings, though their only options are to lower the image resolution or turn Home off completely, a Facebook rep explained.
Turning Facebook Home off will essentially bring the First back to a normal Android 4.1 experience.
First with Facebook Home on and, on the right, deactivated
There is a Home icon that, if tapped, gives users the option to reactive the overlay if they like.
There's a Snapdragon 400 processor with 1.4GHz dual-core CPU inside, and we're told that battery drain of the 2000mAh juicer isn't too different than a comparable handset, though there is extra drain caused by the Home's always active capacities.
Camera functionality is an two-headed beast. Users can either snap photos through the Facebook Camera function (accessible within the app launcher in a bar along the top) or through the phone's standalone camera app.
The 5MP snapper is fine, though perhaps consumers would expect something a little stronger to pick up the pics they're about to post to Facebook.
Oddities
A few things stood out to us as peculiar. Facebook hasn't forked Android, it wants you to know, but there are definitely some aspects that are, shall we say, unique to the Facebook Home and First experience.
Something we found quite odd was that your profile pic button, floating above the bottom of the screen, doesn't actually take you to your profile when you click it. An FB rep said that you have to take the normal route to get to your page, i.e. through the Facebook app, and that's "probably something we should think about" in future iterations.
We understand that pressing on it serves as a gateway to other functions, and as a rep told us puts you at the center of the phone experience, but intuitively one would think your profile picture would take you to your profile.
Another semi-off putting element is that you have to go to the app launcher to access your phone. The focus truly is on Facebook and communicating with your social network through features like Chat Heads, essentially bubble-headed icons of friends that wobble onto your screen when they message you and allow you to keep your conversations with you wherever you are on your phone.
The back is plain indeed
Even if you launch an app, your Chat Heads will stay present wherever you like on your screen. A tap on the topmost one will let you open all conversations, while holding a bubble and swiping it down pops them off your screen. You could keep conversations going for as long or as little as you like, and the icons will appear as soon as you receive a new message.
Chat Heads work with both messages and SMS messages, so there's continuity with your text-based communication experience.
There also doesn't seem to be a way to slow the flow of pictures, unless you comment or like them (a double click will let you comment while hitting the comment icon along the bottom lets you leave a post).
While it's not necessarily a bad thing, it was jarring to look at what essentially feels like a Facebook wall paper only to have it suddenly switch. After some time this would likely be less bothersome, but initially it was a weird feeling to see something you expect to stay static move.
Early verdict
This is an HTC phone built in conjunction with Facebook to make you use Facebook on an almost constant basis. If that's attractive to you, then you'll like the First.
We hesitate to say "love" because the hardware isn't overly compelling, though it's hard to argue with a Jelly Bean handset that costs $99.99.
There are some odd elements, as noted above, that one must accept as part of the Facebook Home overlay experience. Thankfully, there's choice as to how you use Home, though your options of what stays and what goes is extremely limited. If you want to leave your social network behind while you're on vacation, at least you have that option. Of course, the flip side is you can stay pretty much in constant contact while your out of your normal surroundings as well.
We found navigating around the device took some getting used to as it didn't mesh with the usual Android UI, but since the icons are built on a tactile, spring-inspired principle of movement, eventually we got gestures like shooting our profile picture bubble up to access our apps.
Is this a successful first try at baking Facebook into an Android device? We give a reserved yes, though there are definite areas that need improvement. Maybe by the time Facebook and HTC gets to the Second (or whatever it's called), Facebook will have figured Home out.
The HTC First is available in several fetching colours
The HTC First the closest thing we'll be getting to a Facebook Phone, as it has Facebook Home preloaded.
Facebook Home is the eponymous social network's new deeply-integrated Android overlay which brings all manner of Facebook shenanigans to your phone's homescreen and notifications bar.
"It's a great opportunity to bring mobile and social together even more closely," Cho said, promising "the best Facebook experience" on the device.
The HTC First comes with Instagram pre-loaded.
HTC First release date
The HTC First US release date is April 12, but there is no UK release date as yet. It will come in red, light blue, white and black.
HTC First design and specifications
HTC says its new "hardware is thin, modern and seamless, with soft edges to draw your attention to the updates from friends and family". Inside, the smartphone runs Android 4.1 - Jelly Bean - with the new Facebook Home experience and incorporates a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with dual-core CPU and 3G/4G world and multimode LTE.
There's also a 4.3-inch glass display, while the dimensions are 125.6mm x 64.93mm x 8.96mm.
HTC First in the US
The HTC First will be available in the US for $99.99 exclusively on AT&T at first for LTE. "The HTC First will offer the best Facebook Home experience on mobile, right out of the box," said Ralph de la Vega, chief of AT&T Mobility. "Because AT&T offers the fastest 4G LTE in the nation, it's the best network for Facebook Home. And the best device for Facebook Home is the HTC First."
HTC First in the UK
The HTC First is also coming to the UK, with EE set to range the First first on its 4G network.
We're anticipating a UK price tag of about £100, but there are sure to be contract deals in the works too.
"The HTC First will be exclusively available this summer on EE's superfast 4GEE service, with details on pricing and availability to be announced in due course"
We're on the case with both the networks and HTC so we'll bring you more details on the HTC First US and UK release date and pricing as we have them.
If history repeats itself, this year Apple will probably release something along the lines of an iPhone 5S - but it's unlikely to resemble the prototype of a curved handset making the rounds online.
GSM Arena reported Thursday that a pair of convincing-looking photos (shown here and here) for a potential new iPhone have surfaced online, which appears to take a radical departure from what Apple has done thus far.
The images immediately raise suspicion, as they not-so-coincidentally closely resemble an Apple patent application approved last week.
That design featured sloped edges, echoing a style Nokia has used to great advantage with its Windows Phone-powered Lumia line.
Glimpse into future?
Given the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4S borrowed the same general designs from their predecessors, it seems unlikely the prototype featured in these images could be the "iPhone 5S" rumored for later this year.
But the design could indicate a future direction for Apple's iconic smartphone, potentially losing the home button users know and love today and replacing it with a curved, edge-to-edge display.
It's important to note that many Apple patent filings - including some that actually get approved - never see the light of day, so these images should be viewed a curiosity at best.
One thing's for sure: We're all but guaranteed to see a new iPhone in 2013, but it probably won't resemble the one shown here.
HTC First - Facebook-tastic in four alluring colours
The first phone to come with Facebook Home built in is coming to the UK, with EE set to range the HTC First in the UK.
That's all we really know for now, with the handset hitting the US on April 12 but no release date announced for the rest of the world.
Over in America, the handset will sell for $99, so we're anticipating a UK price tag of about £100, while there are sure to be contract deals in the works too.
Second, third, fourth...
The HTC First is as close as we're going to get to an official Facebook Phone, with CEO Peter Chou hopping up on stage at Facebook's Android Home event to reveal the handset to the world.
Facebook Home is the eponymous social network's new deeply-integrated Android overlay which brings all manner of Facebook shenanigans to your phone's homescreen and notifications bar.
We're on the case with EE and HTC so we'll bring you more details on the HTC First UK release date and pricing as we have them.
The Sony Xperia Z is a very sexy and very capable smartphone, and probably the best that Sony has designed in years. That said, it is missing one important feature that many new devices seem to be shipping with these days: wireless charging.
The good news is that accessory maker Ipan Ipan has announced a solution that solves that. Their accessory not only works as a protective case for your Xperia Z, but it also works as a wireless charging device that plays nicely with Qi wireless charging platforms.
According to the accessory maker,t getting this accessory designed wasn’t an easy feat. The Xperia Z has a non-removable battery and the back is made from glass, so it was impossible to simply replace the battery cover door with a wireless charging variant. Instead, they use a 2-pin connector designed for the Z’s docking station.
So how much will it set you back? It costs €39 for just the case, or €89 for the case an an included charging pad. What do you think, interested or not?
Amazon have taken the Android tablet market by storm with their low-cost tablets, and now it appears they are hoping to do the same with smartphones.
It’s long been rumoured that Amazon could be working on an own branded Android smartphone, and indeed makes sense as they have their own app store, online retail network and hordes of happy fans. To further stoke the embers of speculation Charile Kindel, the ex-general manager for Windows Phone, has joined the company and is working on “something secret”. The tip off comes from Kindel himself via his Linkedin profile where he writes that he is working on “something wonderful” at Amazon.
An Amazon Android phone looks like a distinct possibility, but could you see one in your life? Keep in mind it’s possible that this project could be something totally different as well.
An anonymous tipster who goes by the sobriquet South has revealed that Nokia is set to reveal the Nokia Catwalk on May 15.
South, who could have chosen a cooler moniker, let's face it, didn't have much more to say from him/herself beyond that, other than that the launch will take place in London, UK.
The news came by way of My Nokia Blog, which says it has had accurate information from South before, although it doesn't say exactly what so we'll just have to take their word for that.
Fashion killa
It's not the first time we've heard tell of the Nokia Catwalk, said to be the follow-up to the Nokia Lumia 920.
We're excepting a thinner, lighter body thanks to the use of aluminium instead of the 920's polycarbonate. Aside from that, the last report suggested that the specs will be pretty similar to the existing Lumia 920.
It's been a while since Nokia busted out a high-end handset - MWC 2013 was all about the mid-range for the Finns - so May isn't too ridiculous a date to expect a hotter Lumia to hit.
But since we can't verify the source and Nokia's keeping schtum, you'll have to file this one under 'perhaps, perhaps, perhaps'.
One of the best features on the Lumia 920 is its 8.7-megapixel camera which comes with the Nokia’s PureView label. Of course Samsung Galaxy S4 is certainly a big rival with its own stunning camera capabilities. This makes you wonder, which among the two devices is the best when it comes to video stabilization? Let’s take a look.
As you will see in the video, the Nokia 920 and the S4 were mounted on top of a toy car to test the performance of the two devices in capturing video on the move. The video is in Russian, but no need for any explanations as the video shows you what you need to know.
The video recorded on the S4 is pretty shaky and everything is blurry once the guy starts to pull the car. But on the 920, the OIS (optical image stabilisation) is certainly doing its job and the video is much more vivid. Not really a huge surprise but it’s nice to see how the 920 did against Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphone.
So what do you think of the Lumia’s camera versus the S4?
Cell phones may have become an integral part of everyday life today, but that of course wasn’t always the case. What boggles the mind is that it has already been a full four decades since the first mobile phone call was made, placed by Motorola employee Marty Cooper. This was on April 3, 1973.
He picked up a prototype version of the Motorola DynaTAC and he called up the folks at Bell Labs, which was a division of AT&T at the time. Apparently, he just said, “I’m ringing you just to see if my call sounds good at your end.” It must have sounded good enough, because that prototype was developed into the Motorola DynaTAC 8000x.
The nearly $4,000 phone weighed 2.5 pounds and had a single text-only LED display line. It went on to spawn a whole generation of cell phone users, from the “Zack Morris” of Saved by the Bell fame to the DynaTAC used by Gordon Gekko in Wall Street. I remember when my parents got their first cell phone in the early 1990s. Even then, there was a certain air of exclusivity to having a mobile phone.
What is your earliest cell phone memory? Were you around when Marty Cooper made that historic phone call?
For the first time since last June, updates for Microsoft's cloud storage app SkyDrive are no longer blocked for iOS users.
The battle over Microsoft's app has seen Apple stopping updates on the App Store since June 2012 but a truce has now been declared, with the service being brought up to the current version for iOS users.
The 3.0 update, now available on the App Store, offers iPhone 5 and iPad Mini support. You'll also be able to download full resolution photos to said devices.
Appdated
We reported last year that Apple had demanded Microsoft pay a 30 per cent fee for customers purchasing additional storage through the app, which itself is free.
The App Store guidelines dictate that Apple will receive 30 per cent of revenue from both app sales and in-app purchases.
But Microsoft allegedly refused to submit, so Apple dropped the block bomb as punishment for not giving Cupertino a slice of the cloud-shaped pie.
We contacted Microsoft to ask whether this means they've agreed to give Apple the requested fee, and will update as we hear more.
The Samsung handset parade continues as the Korean firm launches another two phones, apparently targeted at a younger audience.
There's not a lot to choose between the Samsung Galaxy Pocket Neo and Galaxy Star, with both handsets sporting 3-inch QVGA displays, 2MP rear cameras, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage, micro SD slots and 1200mAh batteries.
In terms of processors the Galaxy Star is the slightly more powerful option packing a 1GHz single-core chip, while the Pocket Neo gets by with an 850MHz offering.
There's good news in terms of software though, with both devices packing Android Jelly Bean - it's the slightly older 4.1 version but an update to 4.2 is surely on the cards.
Double trouble
Both weigh in at a feather-light 100.5g and with the mediocre feature list you can expect the Galaxy Star and Galaxy Pocket Neo to settle in at the bottom end of Samsung's price range.
They will be available in both single and dual-SIM varieties, although we expect markets such as the UK, US and Australia to only see the single SIM options.
As far as a release date for the Galaxy Star and Galaxy Pocket Neo goes, both are currently unknown as is the price.
A Samsung UK spokesperson told TechRadar: "We believe the Galaxy Star and Galaxy Pocket Neo will be coming to the UK, but we're waiting for final confirmation."
Though it feels like the service has barely had time to breathe, Blackberry has announced that it's calling it a day on its monthly music subscription app.
Anyone currently subscribed to BBM Music will be billed for April and then it all starts to come crumbling down. After that, you can tearfully delete the redundant app from the home screen.
You will, however, get a free 30 day trial of Rdio premium as a sort of breaking-up gift from BlackBerry.
We hardly knew ye
The idea of BBM Music was kind of cool. Users could have up to 50 offline tracks a month, but connecting with friends allowed you to access more songs for your playlists. It was truly gunning for the "social" side of music.
But theory and practice are often too different and it seems that the service just wasn't popular enough to take on the likes of Spotify and other music streaming contemporaries.
"BBM Music service will be discontinued as of June 2, 2013," reads the email sent by BlackBerry. "In May, as your BBM contacts stop using the service, songs in your playlists will begin to turn grey and will no longer be available"
However, BlackBerry advises users to begin transitioning from the service starting now, with dates subject to change. Time for one last blast of that "guilty pleasures" playlist?
