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Report: HTC to manufacture Facebook smartphone, code-named 'Buffy' and running modified version of Android

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Report: HTC to manufacture Facebook smartphone, code-named 'Buffy' and running modified version of Android
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Despite its historically tentative approach to the mobile marketplace, Facebook is about to take the plunge into the world of dedicated smartphones.

According to AllThingsD, Taiwanese manufacturer HTC is collaborating with Facebook on a handset that places the world’s most popular social network at its core.

The device, code-named “Buffy” (after the fictional teenage vampire slayer), will run a modified version of Android. Reports say that Google’s mobile OS will be significantly tweaked to integrate Facebook services into the heart of the user experience.

Status update

While Facebook declined to comment directly on the news, a spokesperson said, "Our mobile strategy is simple: We think every mobile device is better if it is deeply social. We're working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers to bring powerful social experiences to more people around the world.”

HTC also declined to comment.

This is not Facebook’s first attempt at integrating its network directly into a handset. HTC released the ChaCha and Salsa earlier this year, both of which feature a dedicated Facebook button.

Facebook has more than 800 million users worldwide, 350 million of which already use the social network on their mobiles.

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James Gilmour
James Gilmour
James pivoted to video so hard that he permanently damaged his spine, which now doubles as a Cronenbergian mic stand. If the pictures are moving, he's the one to blame.