Mark Zuckerberg unveils "Home," a new Android skin
The software, which is a "family of apps," can be installed on any Android phone and acts like a skin, hiding the current version of Android with new features, like "CoverFeed". According to Zuckerberg, Facebook is trying to combat the app-centric world and turn it into a people-centric world. "Since home is the lockscreen, in addition to the lockscreen, you don't need to do any more swipes to see content," said Zuckerberg. The system looks a lot like Flipboard, which offers personalised news based on things you have followed.
While the phone is very people-centric, apps are still present. The UI looks very much like Windows Phone or WebOS, with an app drawer which can be "swiped" up or down from the homescreen, depending on when the user needs it. Zuckerberg also said that Facebook is looking to improve messaging, by creating an omni-present message drawer. The messages are always on the screen (if you have an open conversation), and are called "Chat heads." These include a small icon with the person's head which can be dragged around the screen. Chat Heads are compatible with both SMS and Facebook Messenger.
When the phone is unlocked, the user experiences "CoverFeed," a service which shows what your friends have been up to in a big, full-screen picture. As we speculated in yesterday's leaks, the new skin puts big photos first. Everything is fullscreen and incredibly visual, just like Windows Phone or iOS. When you delve deeper, the experience is core Android. Facebook have only created a new homescreen, lockscreen and messaging application.
To get "Home," simply update your version of Facebook and visit the app. From there, you are taken to Google Play and will have the option to download "Home." You can then choose to have "Home" on your device all the time, or as a trial.
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Related Forum: Mobile Devices
Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/mark-zuckerberg-unveils-home-a-new-android-skin
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Comments
WhirlpoolPosted:
slapshot101 Does anyone think that Facebook will ever try to make a smartphone?
Nah I don't think they are that smart, but if they did I hope they'd make it look really cool
MeetPosted:
Slytherin Awe this is only for android :/ we need something like this for the IPhone
Its always for androids lol. Rarely for I Phone
BrigandPosted:
-CristianoRTEPGA This is really just a skin for people who use Facebook a lot. Doesn't really appeal to many people.
Well many people do use facebook.
The most used spwebsite in the world
Yup,That is true.
BrigandPosted:
This is cool if you use Facebook a lot, but other than that it seems pretty useless to me.
TywinPosted:
Although I don't plan on buying this phone, I love the concept.
I wish they would come out with a "Twitter home."
I would buy that, lol.
I wish they would come out with a "Twitter home."
I would buy that, lol.
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