Facebook will unveil what it calls its “new home on Android” at a Thursday press event. Today 9TO5 Google is reporting that Facebook is planning a new HTC device that will feature its own version of the Android operating system. “Facebook Home,” is reportedly the name of the new user interface, which will put Facebook content and apps front and center.
The social media giant has identified mobile as the key to future growth, with some product managers forcing themselves to only access the site on mobile devices as a way to shift their mindsets away from the personal computer experience. A Facebook-focused user interface is a logical move, but it seems unlikely that the company would want to tie the UI too closely to one device. Facebook certainly doesn’t need a brand new device in order to introduce a new user interface, but if HTC has indeed created a new smartphone just for Facebook, it is reasonable to expect Facebook branding on the handset. More below: