It has been reported that Facebook are currently working on developing a new Facebook smartphone- "Buffy". According to All Things Digital; "Facebook has tapped Taiwanese cellphone maker HTC to build a smartphone that has the social network integrated at the core of its being." What will be different about this smartphone from its competitors? - Facebook states: "Our mobile strategy is simple: We think every mobile device is better if it is deeply social. We’re working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers to bring powerful social experiences to more people around the world." (dailycaller.com)
Social media services are proving to be a very important aspect within the mobile industry now, with the increasing number of people using mobiles to access social networking services. Facebook want to integrate social media at a much deeper level than it's competitors (e.g. Google); they want to integrate contacts and sharing into the core of the user experience. "The device would be a heavily-customised version of the Android operating system featuring full integration of Facebook functionality." (digitalspy.co.uk)
Facebook already allows users to upload photos directing from the picture-taking app and intergrates Facebook contacts with the phone book, but what the Facebook phone would be able to do remains a mystery. The package will use HTLM5 support. How will it evolve with HTML5 applications?
Could this phone be a huge failure? Some people hate Facebook..
Do you think a Facebook smartphone would be succesful? Would you buy one?
References
http://dailycaller.com/2011/11/25/facebook-mum-on-whether-anticipated-smartphone-violates-net-neutrality/
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tech/news/a352268/facebook-partners-with-htc-for-buffy-smartphone.html
In my opinion I dont think that this facebook smartphone will be a huge success. Nowadays most smartphones and even basic ones have a facebook app or can get it installed. I agree that a huge population thinks about the social aspects that a phone has to offer before buying it, but I dont think that many people will be demanding a smartphone that is based mainly on facebook. I have an Iphone and previosuly had a samsung b32100 which also had a facebook app which wasn't as 'fancy' as my new Iphone, but I wasn't too concerned as I knew I could use the basic features like read notifications, write posts, etc. I feel that people are happy with their facebook features and wouldn't go out and buy this new smartphone in the future just to get additional and more advanced features.
ReplyDeleteIt would probably attract people who do most of their social networking from their phones. I just came across this - A smartphone watch! http://www.newstoday.co.uk/3583/2011/11/new-gadget-the-smart-phone-watch/ taking it one step further...
ReplyDeleteI would not buy a phone just because it has been enhanced with Facebook. The apps available in the market places do the job as far as I am concerned. Also, I would buy a mobile phone based on all the features and that they are up to scratch - not just because the phone has been modified to make using facebook on the move more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI think this would be a complete failure...there is no USP (unique selling point) because most phones can do completely everything a laptop can do when it comes to facebook..so i cant see the point
ReplyDeleteSound as if the majority think this would be a failure, perhaps Facebook should definitely do a lot of market researh for this. I think they would probably have a USP, but they have not given the mystery away yet. But I agree it needs to be amazing to compete with current smartphones on the market.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think that a Smartphone created by facebook will be a major success, because it would be like going out and buying the phone simply because it’s based mainly on facebook. I can’t imagine how much more different this phone will be from other Smartphones, besides most Smartphone these days come with a facebook app and I think that people are pretty much content with the current facebook features, and couldn’t care less about the additional and more advance features that this upcoming Smartphone will supposedly offer.
ReplyDeleteWe probably shouldn't underestimate Facebook... but given the facts, I really don't see how a Facebook phone can beat an Android phone or an iPhone. You can do whatever you with the latter two, while with the first one.. well, we'll see about that.
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