HTC First Unveiled, Device Runs New Facebook Home OS
The new HTC First smartphone was unveiled by Facebook today and the device runs a new version of Android called Facebook Home OS.
It is the first smartphone that will run the new software, which is tied in tightly with the Facebook social networking service.
Specifications for the First were not mentioned at the device's unveiling, which means it will probably fall in the mid-range category, according to CNET. The HTC One will remain HTC's premier flagship smartphone.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The HTC First will cost $99.99 and will be sold exclusively through AT&T.
The company sent out invitations to the unveiling event last week, where the Facebook-powered phone finally made its debut. It took place at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time at 1 Hacker Way in Menlo Park, Calif.
The Facebook-powered smartphone has been rumored for quite some time, and now it appears the company is finally ready to enter the market. Both Facebook and HTC have been working on a marketing campaign for the device in recent weeks, according to 9to5 Google.
Advertisements for the handset will focus on the potential user, not on the hardware or software. The phone will function as an expanded version of the Facebook application found on iOS and standard Android systems.
The software will give users to ability to upload photos to FB message, and integrate contacts directly through Facebook.
HTC and Facebook are already in talks with many carriers throughout the world about offering the device to their customers.
The device is expected to officially launch in the middle of 2013, according to a previous Bloomberg report. Facebook has hired early Apple iOS developers to work on the project, according to The New York Times.
The HTC One will be available in the U.S. sometime this month.
