ADVERTISEMENT
Filtered By: Scitech
SciTech

Rumored Facebook Phone may be midrange HTC Android device


+
Add GMA on Google
Make this your preferred source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.
If Facebook is indeed working on a so-called "Facebook Phone," that device would be a midrange HTC phone running Google's Android, with a special Facebook app as the launcher.
 
Android enthusiast site AndroidPolice.com posted screenshots of the so-called Facebook phone in action, along with the device's hardware specifications.
 
"So, basically ... this is a mid-range HTC phone codenamed 'Myst.' The hardware is not very exciting, especially considering the long and winding road this project has been on (since at least late 2011, when it was known as 'Buffy')," it said.
 
The site said the "build.prop" file lists the phone's specifications, including:
 
Manufacturer: HTC
Model: MYSTUL (Myst_UL)
Carrier: AT&T
Platform: MSM8960 (Dual Core)
Ram: 1GB
Display: 4.3 inch @ 720p resolution
Android Version: 4.1.2
Sense Version: 4.5
Rear Camera:L 5M
Front Camera: 1.6M
 
While the phone will support Bluetooth 4.0 and WiFi a/b/g/n, it may not support an SD card, AndroidPolice.com added.
 
But AndroidPolice.com also pointed out its data is based on an unreleased, developer version of Facebook's software.
 
"(E)verything is a work in progress. Facebook should show off the full details April 4th," it said, referring to an Android-centric event Facebook will hold at its Menlo Park campus on that day.
 
Facebook app homescreen
 
AndroidPolice said what may set the phone apart is the special Facebook app packaged as "com.facebook.wakizashi" - as compared to the regular app codenamed "com.facebook.katana."
 
"Wakizashi has all the permissions and intents needed to be your home screen app. In fact, HTC's traditional home screen app, 'Rosie,' isn't on this phone at all," it said.
 
The new app has extra Android permissions, including:
 
  • spawning windows that stay on top of all other windows "for system-level interaction with the user."
  • turning off the lock screen.
  • Facebook starts as soon as the phone starts.
  • the Facebook app can see what apps are currently running.
  • the phone can control your WiFi connection and change your system settings.
 
It also noted an "OS X dock-style" cloud for removing shortcuts.
 
"while this is a leaked developer build and we have no idea how finished it is, it looks like Facebook is well on its way to turning the Facebook app into a home screen," it said.
 
Facebook Home app for Google Play?
 
But AndroidPolice.com also said the permissions allow the Facebook app to read the settings for the stock Android launcher, the HTC launcher, and the Touchwiz Launcher.
 
This may mean "Facebook plans on releasing Facebook Home not just on this phone, but as a standalone app in the Play Store," it said. — TJD, GMA News
Tags: facebook, google, googleandroid, htc, hightechcomputers
Most Popular