While there have been rumors of Facebook breaking into the mobile phone industry in the past, they were all but dead – until now.
The New York Times has seemingly resurrected the rumors of a Facebook phone with a new report suggesting the company will debut a smartphone by next year. It’s said that Facebook has already recruited numerous engineers who have previously worked on Apple’s iPhone and iPad:
The company has already hired more than half a dozen former Apple software and hardware engineers who worked on the iPhone, and one who worked on the iPad, the employees and those briefed on the plans said.
Also, the report cites an interesting quote from a Facebook employee that highlights Mark Zuckerberg’s concern regarding Facebook becoming just an app on other platforms:
‘Mark is worried that if he doesn’t create a mobile phone in the near future that Facebook will simply become an app on other mobile platforms,’ a Facebook employee said
This venture is allegedly Facebook’s third attempt to build a dedicated smartphone, as previous projects have “crumbled” due to roadblocks and technical issues. The company’s new strategy is to enlist engineers who have worked on successful projects in the past (i.e. former Apple contractors and employees).
Will Facebook’s latest attempt to produce a smartphone succeed, or will it crumble like past efforts? Stay tuned for future coverage regarding Facebook and their future projects.
