Facebook Android initiative could set a new mobile standard

Calls the Google OS its 'new home' and moves in on April 4th.
Facebook last announced an unveiling back in January, inviting press to 'come and see what we're building.' Therumour mill suggested the product was the long-expected Facebook phone or OS, but instead, we were treated to the underwhelming unmasking of Graph Search.
Well, it's a new quarter, and Facebook has again requested the presence of the industry, this time to 'come and see our new home on Android' on Thursday, April 4th.
Conjecture has churned up talk of the Facebook phone (again), an Android OS laced with Facebook functionality, and some reports have gone as far as to say that the unveiling will be in partnership with HTC, while the product tagline is 'more than just an app'.
John Strand of Strand Consult, said:0 "It doesn’t matter that the concept will be launched with an Android operating system on an HTC smartphone. If Facebook's new concept works, it will become the standard for phones and operating systems. Not only are OTT companies such as Facebook rendering mobile operators into dumb pipes, but they are making all smartphones into dumb terminals. If all users want is Facebook, then there are few ways that operators and phone manufacturers can differentiate with services or hardware.
"Facebook announcement is an important milestone for investors, for it demonstrates that the gold mine for Facebook is not advertising, operating systems or hardware. The key for Facebook is to monetize its users for the very communication it offers: SMS, voice, and data enabled services."
Stream the event live from here: https://live.facebooklive.com/

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