Is Facebook doing its homework? We trust that Facebook is analyzing usage stats when deciding which handsets to address with its Home rollout, but it seems odd that Samsung’s Galaxy S4 and the HTC One, which both became supported by Home on Friday, would be high on the list of devices used by hardcore Facebook addicts — the ones Home is likely best suited for. Home is an immersive software suite that takes over an Android phone’s home screen and app launcher, replacing them with a river of Facebook photos and a new launcher that provides quick access to various Facebook features. Could a Facebook takeover possibly be something the average Galaxy S4 or HTC One user is looking for?
These are premium handsets that feature the latest and greatest features their respective vendors have to offer. The One and Galaxy S4 also both run Android Jelly Bean so they tout the latest Android features, and they’re essentially brand new additions to the smartphone market. Are early adopters who rushed to buy a premium phone at a premium price so they could have the latest and greatest hardware and software really going to want to hide all of their new phones’ key features behind Home?
BGR recently reviewed Facebook Home and while we were big fans of Facebook’s strategy, we highlighted several areas where Home could use a makeover. Even in its current state though, Home is a great option for Facebook addicts who spend most of their time using a smartphone buried in the Facebook app anyway. Whether or not many users who fit that description own Galaxy S4s and HTC Ones remains to be seen.
Facebook is smart to push Home out to the latest and greatest Android smartphones, but it might first consider rolling the software out to the older handsets owned by its most dedicated users.
