Four days ago, world's biggest social network Facebook slammed rumors about building a smartphone. Now, Bloomberg has reported that Facebook is working with INQ Mobile on two smartphones that will be clubbed with AT&T network branding in U.S. This certainly is a surprising report, especially after official statement from Facebook itself denying all the rumors about working on a smartphone. We believe it's more like a partnership for a Facebook-exclusive smartphone.
Facebook spokesperson Jaime Schopflin clearly stated in an official statement, "Current projects include everything from an HTML5 version of the site to apps on major platforms to full Connect support with SDKs to deeper integrations with some manufacturers"
So, Facebook never denied working on "deeper integrations", afterall. One of the three people familiar with Facebook-INQ's plan told Bloomberg, "The devices, which will feature Facebook social-networking services, are due to be introduced in Europe in the first half of 2011 and the U.S. in the second half."
So basically, there might be two INQ smartphones - one QWERTY and other would be touchscreen, that are expect to be Facebook services exclusively. These two smartphones will run Google Android operating system. Facebook hasn't raised the green flag to let INQ use Facebook's name with this phone.
By releasing the SDK to developers, Facebook certainly wants to see the social network's services getting deeply integrated to different mobile operating systems. All those Facebook social plugins and services you get to see everywhere on the web might be pulled to mobile web as well. But along with this deeper integration, it's quite possible that Facebook would be pushing ads on the mobile platform.
Google Android is a fast growing mobile OS that competes strongly with Apple's iOS. Currently, Facebook as an app is available for iOS, Android and BlackBerry but every OS limits the social network till the app is running.
However, there's no smoke without fire. As of now, the talks between Facebook, INQ and AT&T might be taking place behind closed doors. Let's hope these INQ smartphones don't turn out to be like Microsoft Kin devices. After Facebook, would you like to see Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn smartphones? Leave a comment and let us know.
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