Live data from Hacker News

Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

reddit.com

21–28 of 28 posts

Re: Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

#21

I think Facebook should cozy up to Mozilla and use Boot2Gecko. Facebook's strength is in their web presence, and by leveraging a web-oriented phone, they could offer something that doesn't compete directly with other handset makers.

Mozilla would curl up, sell/give their assets to charity and die before partnering with Facebook. Boot to Gecko is free, open source, and arguably more "open" than Android. There's no need for a partnership. Mozilla and their leadership care very much about privacy and freedom. Facebook does not jive with that at all.

openness and freedom means giving your open and free code over to people who might not share your values quite so much. North Korea has a linux distro. A partnership with facebook would not be against mozilla's ethos at all. Facebook could contribute to the development of B2G and use the final product without compromising its openness in any way.

Furthermore, facebook might be somewhat evil when it comes to customer data, but they're an upstanding citizen in the open source community. they manage or contribute to many open source projects.

Re: Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

#22
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Microsoft would never compromise their branding. Seems that Sidekick and Kin are counter-examples to that statement.

> Seems that Sidekick and Kin are counter-examples to that statement. Microsoft threw away the working Sidekick OS and re-built it from the ground up on Win CE so that they could brand KIN as a "Windows Phone". So isn't that really a perfect example?

Exactly. Sidekick was thrown into the trash before the customers even knew it, and Kin was pitched into the dumpster before the launch party was even over.

The only non-Microsoft brand to come out of Microsoft is, curiously, the XBox.

Re: Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

#23
1. A single worldwide 3G/4G handset is a difficult proposition.

2. Networks are fiercely competitive against being commoditised. While a single carrier in each country won't allow for sufficient coverage.

3. Consumer trust for facebook is decreasing, they're less likely to buy into something which they'll perceive as a big brother device.

4. It's a specific novelty device in comparison to everything-goes Android/iOS.

5. Android proves that price matters. Top of line hardware requires a top of line price. (Especially if supporting all 3G/4G implementations.)

6. Many of the services listed aren't internationally available.

7. How does Angry Birds fit into it?

8. How does this make money?

Re: Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

#24

1. A single worldwide 3G/4G handset is a difficult proposition. 2. Networks are fiercely competitive against being commoditised. While a single carrier in each country won't allow for sufficient coverage. 3. Consumer trust for facebook is decreasing, they're less likely to buy into something which they'll perceive as a big brother device. 4. It's a specific novelty device in comparison to everything-goes Android/iOS.…

1.) Agree.

2.) Agree.

3.) Perhaps in the blogosphere, its a non issue for the other 99% of users.

4.) Again I think you've got your head in the blogosphere. Try inverting your statement. For a large set of users, iOS/Android are just devices that allow them to use Facebook away from the PC. Easy to see how calling, messaging, photos and games could integrate seamlessly with Facebook.

5.) Perhaps a bit more expensive, or they can just do what device manufacturers do now and market different versions for different regions. Not many people need a phone that is compatible with every single wireless protocol.

6.) Dont understand.

7.) Facebook games?

8.) Pay for handset. Monthly access fee. Whatever. People are used to paying for their phone.

If it wasnt for the telcos, this idea might have some traction.

Re: Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

#25
post #18

I don't see the advantage. What market segment are they attacking? Technology wise it would be a step forward from the current form of telephony, the consumer on the other hand doesn't care, they just want a product that works in the end and which they can use to communicate with their friends and family. Google has done wonders with android because they attacked a market segment that apple was ignoring, cheaper smar…

Presumably the market segment who uses Facebook a lot, and, in particular, those apt to spend lots of money on Facebook "platform" products and services.

Specifically, if future Facebook revenue plans involve apps and, in particular, in-app purchases, reclaiming Apple's 30% revenue share from even a small percentage of Facebook's best customers could make the project worthwhile.

Re: Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

#26
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Seems that Sidekick and Kin are counter-examples to that statement. Microsoft threw away the working Sidekick OS and re-built it from the ground up on Win CE so that they could brand KIN as a "Windows Phone". So isn't that really a perfect example?

Exactly. Sidekick was thrown into the trash before the customers even knew it, and Kin was pitched into the dumpster before the launch party was even over. The only non-Microsoft brand to come out of Microsoft is, curiously, the XBox.

Huh? Sidekick was a well established preexisting brand.

Re: Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

#27
post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. Sidekick was thrown into the trash before the customers even knew it, and Kin was pitched into the dumpster before the launch party was even over. The only non-Microsoft brand to come out of Microsoft is, curiously, the XBox.

Huh? Sidekick was a well established preexisting brand.

Yes, and they threw it out. It's Microsoft or the highway.

Re: Possible strategy for a so-called "Facebook Phone" that I came up with

#28
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Seems that Sidekick and Kin are counter-examples to that statement. Microsoft threw away the working Sidekick OS and re-built it from the ground up on Win CE so that they could brand KIN as a "Windows Phone". So isn't that really a perfect example?

Exactly. Sidekick was thrown into the trash before the customers even knew it, and Kin was pitched into the dumpster before the launch party was even over. The only non-Microsoft brand to come out of Microsoft is, curiously, the XBox.

Isn't it the "microsoft xbox"? I mean, everyone knows it's microsoft's (and it's printed on the game boxes)... No?
Post reply on HN