As expected, Facebook has today released its new Facebook Home Android user interface for a limited number of handsets.
US-based owners of the Samsung Galaxy S3, Samsung Galaxy Note II, HTC One X and HTC One X plus can now download the new Android skin.
The download is free for those States-based users from the Google Play store, while those purchasing the HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 will also receive access to the service in due course.
Facebook has said the limited roll out is to ensure it works as advertised on the first run of phones, but has confirmed more devices, including tablets, will be part of a wider release in the coming weeks and months.
Facebook is yet to confirm when Home will be available internationally, but it is not expected to be too long before it arrives on UK shores.
The launch also comes on the day the HTC First, which has Facebook Home built-in, arrives in the United States. That particular handset is expected to be an EE exclusive when it arrives on UK shores this summer.
Facebook Home is the social network’s effort to dominate the user’s mobile experience. The UI is dominated by the Coverfeed which constantly refreshes with full-screen photos, posts and status updates from friends.
It is also seeking to take over messaging with the Chat Heads feature, which allows users to respond to messages inline without disrupting other activities too much.
The feature has also rolled out to the Android version of Facebook Messenger today, if you cannot wait to get full-fat Facebook Home.
The Facebook Home suite also features an app launcher that showcases some non Facebook-centric essential apps like Google Maps, Spotify, Dropbox, Chrome and more.
Users can customise that experience, while they can also post status updates, photos and check ins directly from the launcher.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
