Facebook has introduced Home, an immersive way for Android mobile users to see what's happening with friends and family. Home features a cover feed that replaces the lock screen and the home screen of the phone, enabling users to see and access more stories and double tap to "like" content they see. The cover feed sends users a notification when something happens on Facebook that is directed towards to them, such as a friend posting on their Facebook timeline.
Home also features chat heads that allow users to keep chatting with friends while they are using other apps. When a user receives a message, a chat head with the message sender's face appears, enabling users to see exactly who they are chatting with. Users can move chat heads around and respond to messages and chat heads including Facebook messages as well as texts. Home's app launcher also enables users to see their favourite apps on one screen.
Home will be available as a free download from Google Play beginning 12 April. The platform works on the HTC One X, HTC One X+, Samsung Galaxy III and Samsung Galaxy Note II. Home will also work on the forthcoming HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4, and on more devices in the coming months. Home will also be available pre-installed on phones through the Facebook Home programme.
HTC and AT&T are the first companies working together to deliver a phone with Home. It is the HTC First smartphone, also launching on 12 April. The HTC First will be available exclusively with Orange in France and EE in the UK, from this summer.
