Facebook May Join The Smartphone Crowd?

**Michael Essany** · 09-20-2010, 07:49 AM

In case you missed it, the Internet is buzzing (thanks to a supposed revelation over the weekend) that one of the world's largest social networks may be considering its very own smartphone development and launch. According to our friends at TechCrunch, the folks at Facebook are now at work of a phone of their own.

Although "sources" at Facebook(including those of yours truly) deny any knowledge of a Facebook branded smartphone, one year ago Tech Crunch somehow managed to correctly discover that Google was working on what would be come the Nexus One, all while similar "sources" denied the plan. Of course, a smartphone offering from Google is a lot different from one by Facebook.

That is, a Facebook smartphone - at least in theory - seems significantly limited in its application. And what, if anything, could a "Facebook Phone" offer users that, say, an iPhone running the Facebook app could not?

For now, according to the report, two "high level Facebook employees" – Joe Hewitt and Matthew Papakipos – are believed to be the ones "secretly" working on this particular project. Both have "deep operating system experience" and a desire to keep this project under wraps so that not even fellow Facebook employees know that this device is in the works. So far, mission accomplished, guys

Although we have no definitive way of knowing if and when a Facebook phone would ultimately reach consumers, today both social networking junkies and smartphone fanatics are weighing in on the relative value (or lack thereof) of a Facebook-branded smartphone. Would you be interested?

Tech Crunch

**Barquey** · 09-20-2010, 07:51 AM

Interesting.

**Waleed786** · 09-20-2010, 08:04 AM

Garmin did the same thing with their "garmin-phone". It pretty much failed. I mean it's not a bad device but It'll never reach the top with iPhone and android etc. I think this will be the same. Might be good for kids like the sidekick, but I doubt it'll turn into a HUGE success.

**Nick Hesson** · 09-20-2010, 08:08 AM

hate to be a stickler but Facebook already confirmed this was a rumor.

**I Am Zak** · 09-20-2010, 08:10 AM

What he said ^^^
Here is proof > BBC - Newsbeat - Facebook phone plans are denied after internet report

**boxxa** · 09-20-2010, 08:21 AM

Ya facebook denied it but I know that creepy Mark Zuckerberg would love to index everyones text messages, phone calls, etc. for his marketing.

**reanimationxp** · 09-20-2010, 08:34 AM

I wonder what they'll call their phone-to-phone video messaging? o.0

**pacmac** · 09-20-2010, 08:35 AM

If they did what would it be called? Facephone 
What's next twitter to make phone? Tweephone

**zozodouce** · 09-20-2010, 09:01 AM

Don't care for it and will never get one lol.

**wolverinemarky** · 09-20-2010, 09:20 AM

Even if I never bought an iPhone before I would never buy a phone from Facebook. I mean their website already has a ton of privacy issues just imagine what information of yours they would be selling if you used their phone.

Sent from my iPhone using ModMyi

**tremerone** · 09-20-2010, 09:24 AM

Dumb.....
now can I please have the time back that I spent reading this article?

**Aliquippakid** · 09-20-2010, 09:43 AM

Stupid. But to wonder what they could offer that a iPhone running facebook.app can't is like saying wander what nexus one can do that a iPhone running googlemobile.app can't. They would surely do little things different.

**santacruzlocal** · 09-20-2010, 09:46 AM

Originally Posted by nickhesson

hate to be a stickler but Facebook already confirmed this was a rumor.

Drop the gloves !!! I have 2-1 odds that Nick could take Michael out !!!!! LMAO

**mortopher** · 09-20-2010, 12:29 PM

Back to your old form I see. Could you do us a favor and go on vacation soon, Messany?

**politicalslug** · 09-20-2010, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Michael Essany

In case you missed it, the Internet is buzzing (thanks to a supposed revelation over the weekend) that one of the world's largest social networks may be considering its very own smartphone development and launch. According to our friends at TechCrunch, the folks at Facebook are now at work of a phone of their own.

Although "sources" at Facebook(including those of yours truly) deny any knowledge of a Facebook branded smartphone, one year ago Tech Crunch somehow managed to correctly discover that Google was working on what would be come the Nexus One, all while similar "sources" denied the plan. Of course, a smartphone offering from Google is a lot different from one by Facebook.

That is, a Facebook smartphone - at least in theory - seems significantly limited in its application. And what, if anything, could a "Facebook Phone" offer users that, say, an iPhone running the Facebook app could not?

For now, according to the report, two "high level Facebook employees" – Joe Hewitt and Matthew Papakipos – are believed to be the ones "secretly" working on this particular project. Both have "deep operating system experience" and a desire to keep this project under wraps so that not even fellow Facebook employees know that this device is in the works. So far, mission accomplished, guys

Although we have no definitive way of knowing if and when a Facebook phone would ultimately reach consumers, today both social networking junkies and smartphone fanatics are weighing in on the relative value (or lack thereof) of a Facebook-branded smartphone. Would you be interested?

Tech Crunch

I can see the advertisements now, "The New Facebook Phone". Small print at the very bottom of the ad will read: not compatible with Twitter, Gmail, Buzz, Orkut, Myspace, OpenID, anything made by Microsoft or Zynga, etc... subject to change at anytime.

No thanks... I'll pass.

**deshawn1680** · 09-20-2010, 02:29 PM

ROTLMFAO! Now that's the best reply!!

**leathelisor** · 09-20-2010, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by tremerone

Dumb.....
now can I please have the time back that I spent reading this article?

it took you that long

**nrowensby** · 09-20-2010, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by Michael Essany

That is, a Facebook smartphone - at least in theory - seems significantly limited in its application. And what, if anything, could a "Facebook Phone" offer users that, say, an iPhone running the Facebook app could not?

If this were true, I'm sure it would be a new take on a phone OS... just like the "Google Phone" was...

So, if you were to ask, what can the "Google Phone" do that an iPhone running the Google App can't?

EDIT: Should've read the other comments first... LOL

Originally Posted by Aliquippakid

Stupid. But to wonder what they could offer that a iPhone running facebook.app can't is like saying wander what nexus one can do that a iPhone running googlemobile.app can't. They would surely do little things different.

**mohaas05** · 09-20-2010, 02:50 PM

Why does it seem like modmyi is always the last place to break the news.

**k.nitsua** · 09-20-2010, 07:19 PM

Facebook: "I got an idea; let's make a smartphone focused on social networking!"
K.Nitsua: "A smart man learns from his mistakes, a wise man learns from another..."

Engadget - The Microsoft Kin is Dead

Facebook: *facepalm*

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