A Facebook phone?

Rumors are swirling that Facebook is developing its own cell phone. What would a Facebook phone be exactly? Well the founder of Facebook has explained that they are highly interested in selling cell phones. Google and Apple are forming their own systems so it's not abnormal that Facebook may also be investigating their own cell phone. In order for Facebook to expand its abilities, Facebook must be deeply embedded in the phones operating system. Especially people's contact lists that are on the social networking site. In order to make this possible everything on the phone would need to be Facebook friendly. The theory of a Facebook phone seems understandable. But there is still one question. Who would buy a Facebook phone? Phones are often purchased by everyday people who find something enticing about a particular product. Google on launching its Nexus one, seemed to believe it could just put its product online and people would just be fascinated, unfortunately that didn't work as well as they hoped. Facebook taking this dilemma into consideration has asked themselves these questions:

• What looks cool?
• What will look cool a year from now?
• Do people really want to buy a phone that is branded Facebook?

Do people really love Facebook as a brand or do they simply enjoy the easy communication. There is also the question of whether or not Facebook will choose to target a particular age group. They have considered that the phone will be inexpensive and for the younger age group. But Microsoft's experience there shows how difficult the younger age group are might be. Although most of these are just speculation of Facebook building a phone is has not been confirmed whether or not it is happening. Would people really want a phone based off of Facebook instead of just having access to Facebook from their regular phone?

The Facebook application that is used on most smartphones serves the same basic principles that the Facebook phone would serve. This is why Facebook has released a statement saying the cell phone is an interest but they are not actively pursuing developing their own phone. The problem Facebook faces with developing a cell phone also comes down to choosing a network provider and one that handle all the things they need. Verizon Wireless is still working on becoming a 4G network provider so they can start selling the iPhone so with their company still behind in technology it seems unlikely that Facebook will pursue inventing a cell phone that entails so many complicated processes.

Facebook is the largest social network on the internet. It is free at the moment and the goal is to keep the social networking site free for its users. Paid advertisements allows the website to earn revenue to stay in business but adding products like cell phones, think pads, eReaders and other electronic and wireless devices could completely change the way the social networking site runs. This could cause the company to start charging for usage and this will cause people to start leaving the site.

Facebook applications on cell phones already integrate user information based on the profile information found on the site. As long as a person lists their cell phone, email, or address their Facebook profile information will be able to pull up on the cell phone when you click on their contact information on your cell phone. This is a great feature of Facebook that it offers to it's smart phone users. Since Facebook is already mobile and found on so many cell phones it seems highly unlikely that the rumors swirling around a Facebook phone will actually become a reality.