Rumoured Facebook phone to bring social media iGaming to the mobile arena

Lee Bell
November 22, 2011
2 Comments

Buffy Facebook PhoneLast week, our poll results proved that 70% of our readers check social media sites, such as Facebook, constantly throughout the day. That may soon become even easier as it’s rumoured across tech news sites today that Facebook is working with Taiwanese gadget giant HTC to develop a “Facebook phone”.

According to a report from All Things D, the phone will have much deeper integration with the social network than any previous smartphones, and should reach our shop shelves in around 12 to 18 months time.

For some reason, the phone is reported to have the codename “Buffy” after the sexy/moody vampire slayer. Maybe because it’s predicted to slay all smartphone competition? Who knows? If the rumours are true however, the phone will run a modified version of Google’s Android, with Facebook tweaking the system “heavily.”

Social media iGamers especially should be excited as part of this package would be serving up Facebook apps via HTML5 support. This would allow users to play games like Zynga Poker and Farmville directly from the Facebook app.

Both HTC and Facebook told Mashable that they don’t comment on rumour and speculation, though the Facebook spokesperson added: “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.”

If speculation turns to fact, Buffy wouldn’t be the first ever Facebook phone. Earlier this year INQ Mobile released two phones, the Cloud Touch and Cloud Q were moulded with the service. Then HTC took it a step further with the Status, which came to the U.S. on AT&T this summer and featured a dedicated Facebook button. But if Buffy will be a team effort, crafted carefully by Facebook and HTC – we might have something unique and innovative to iGaming on our hands.

If you have any further information related to this story that you would like to share with us privately please click here.

Can't get enough CalvinAyre.com? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, then you'll never miss out on the latest gaming industry news.

Share
Tags: Article, Facebook, htc, Mobile, Smartphone
Views and opinions expressed are those of the Author and do not necessarily reflect those of CalvinAyre.com
  • Ed

    That won’t stop other social media entities from creating their own phone version too. Of course a Facebook phone will prioritize Facebook the site; its developers can create glitches that will make other social media sites to bug down.

    In this case, it would be a competition of social media sites (and search engines too) developing their own mobile phone versions.

    Oh how about if Facebook create its own search engine in direct competition with Google. :)

  • Pingback: Lifestyle News | Facebook settles FTC deceiving consumers privacy