In just a matter of hours from now, at 1:00 PM Eastern, Facebook will commence its “New Home on Android” media event at its corporate headquarters in suburban Menlo Park, California. According to multiple sources, the event will be focused around one of two things: the unveiling of the long-anticipated Facebook Phone in collaboration with Taiwanese handset maker HTC or, more likely, the arrival of an app dubbed as “Facebook Home” that is highly integrated across the Android platform.

While the flagship HTC One smartphone is expected to hit the market later this month, the “HTC First” could be the first — no pun intended — smartphone to showcase this new Facebook-enriched Android experience. It’ll certainly be interesting to see how consumers react to this smartphone, as there has been much debate about the necessity of a Facebook Phone. If the “HTC First” isn’t much more than an iPhone with a Facebook app and native sharing functionality, then it probably won’t sell.

Regardless of its fate, the “HTC First” could be yet another player in the competitive smartphone market. Just four months into the year, we’ve already seen the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, BlackBerry Z10 and perhaps now the HTC First. Just maybe, for the first time in several years, the smartphone market won’t be dominated solely by Apple and Samsung. Competition is good, and we’re seeing a whole lot of it right now. Check back later today for further updates on the Facebook event.

Images found in Facebook’s Android app that hint at an impending homescreen replacement

Facebook’s plans have yet to be officially revealed, but the enterprising gentlemen of AndroidPolice have already leaked a large part of what is likely to be the announcement. Using references and code snippets found in the official Facebook app for Android, AndroidPolice revealed that the “Facebook phone” is going to be an HTC-produced phone with “budget” technical specifications, codenamed “Myst.” The more interesting part, however, appears to be the software.

It seems as if Facebook’s Android application will soon become something much more: a launcher. Facebook’s new “home” on Android means just that: the home screen of any device, not just the HTC Myst, could potentially be used by Facebook. Code snippets, as well as images depicting common launcher actions, back this evidence up. Further, AndroidPolice found evidence that Facebook was preparing these features for a full rollout on the Play Store, which would mean that any phone could potentially become a Facebook device.

Would you be willing to swap your current launcher for Facebook’s new “Home” on Android?

[Android Police]

A previous mockup of the alleged Facebook Phone, manufactured by HTC.

We’re less than four months into the year, and it’s already turning out to be a great one for smartphones. BlackBerry got the ball rolling with its long-anticipated BlackBerry Z10 handset in late January, the flagship Samsung Galaxy S4 was unveiled a few weeks ago, and the new HTC One will hit the market next month. But, there is another entrant that is about to hit the playing field. (more…)

Facebook fans rejoice, or shake your head in frustration, as the social network announced changes to its News Feed today that will roll out today and over the ensuing weeks, across desktops, tablets and smartphones.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg claims that the new design will deliver a consistent user experience across all devices, with large, visually appealing stories and different feeds dedicated to various specific topics.  (more…)