Earlier today we told you about a rumor that HTC was working on some Facebook branded smartphones, which were supposedly due to be announced at MWC 2011.
Now Facebook has said that it will not be launching a Facebook branded smartphone with HTC. The denial came from Dan Rose, who is head of business development at Facebook, and he had the following to say about the HTC Facebook Phone.
“This is really just another example of a manufacturer who has taken our public APIs (application programming interfaces) and integrated them into their device in an interesting way,”
“The rumors around there being something more to this HTC device are overblown,” Rose told journalists at a company event in London. Asked whether the device would be Facebook-branded, he answered: “No.”
HTC’s Approach to Facebook Integration
So from the statement, it looks like HTC is working on some smartphones with heavy Facebook integration. They have obviously been consulting Facebook on this project, but it looks like it won’t be Facebook branded. This means that while the devices will feature deep integration with Facebook’s services, they will not carry the Facebook name or logo. This approach allows HTC to leverage Facebook’s popularity without being tied to the social media giant’s brand.
HTC has a history of integrating popular services into their devices. For example, HTC Sense, their custom Android skin, has included various social media integrations in the past. This new development could be seen as an extension of that strategy, aiming to provide users with a seamless social media experience directly from their smartphones.
What to Expect at MWC 2011
MWC 2011 is just around the corner, and it will be interesting to see what HTC has in store. Given the statement from Dan Rose, we can expect HTC to unveil a smartphone that offers unique Facebook features. These could include enhanced Facebook notifications, a dedicated Facebook button, or even a custom user interface designed to make social networking more accessible.
In addition to Facebook integration, HTC might also introduce other innovative features to make their devices stand out in a crowded market. For instance, they could focus on improving camera capabilities, battery life, or even introducing new hardware designs. The goal would be to create a device that not only appeals to Facebook users but also offers a well-rounded smartphone experience.
It’s also worth noting that HTC is not the only manufacturer exploring social media integration. Other companies like Samsung and LG have also been working on similar projects. This trend indicates a growing demand for smartphones that offer more than just basic social media apps, aiming to provide a more immersive and integrated experience.
In conclusion, while the rumors of a Facebook-branded smartphone have been debunked, the collaboration between HTC and Facebook is still something to watch. The upcoming MWC 2011 event will likely shed more light on what this partnership entails and how it will benefit consumers. Until then, we can only speculate on the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.
via Phandroid
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