The first model of smartphone to carry a dedicated Facebook button on the keypad is launching this week from AT&T Mobility (T), which is taking pre-orders for the Android Honeycomb-powered HTC Status and marketing the device as the inaugural phone to be integrated with the social network through a keypad.
When users push the button, it takes them directly to the Facebook site to post messages, photos, links and other services, and works in conjunction with what is being performed by the user on the phone at the time.
HTC Corp.’s (HTCXF) Status device was originally named the ChaCha and presented in February alongside another phone with a Facebook button called the Salsa, which possessed a little, blue Facebook button on the lower section of the device. There is no word from AT&T when the Salsa will debut, or whether the original name will stay or be re-branded.
AT&T started accepting preorders of the HTC Status earlier this week and the phone will be sold through BestBuy locations nationally.
The HTC Status will retail for $49.99 with a two-year contract commitment and arrives in stores on Sunday. The phone has a full keyboard, a 1.3-megapixel camera on the front for video chatting and photos and a five-megapixel camera on the rear.
The screen is somewhat smaller than other smartphones at 2.6 inches and a resolution of 480 by 320 pixels and will have HTC’s Sense user interface.
One thing to consider is whether or not users will really care enough about a Facebook button to purchase the HTC Status against the features of other devices.
