The Facebook Phone: So-cial, So-phisticated… So What?
Liz Gannes and Ina Fried, over at All Things Digital, came out with a series of articles in November heralding Facebook's collaboration with Taiwanese cell phone manufacturer HTC to develop a Facebook phone, code-named Buffy. Heading into the holidays, word lit up newswires and blogs like—well, like a Christmas tree.
Their initial post prompted TechCrunch's MG Siegler to remind us that TechCrunch had reported this over a year ago. The All Things duo carefully elucidated that the Buffy project was neither a new project, nor the same project Siegler covered in September '10 but, rather, a resurrection of the first, which had foundered in a perfect storm of corporate politics and drama over at the big F.
As for the name, it turns out the Buffy moniker is the culmination of a circuitous evolution, both linguistically and cognitively, from the project's beginnings. The original project needed a name based on the "Social Layer" platform. Social Layer was broken down and agglutinated into the portmanteau, "Slayer," which, owing to its violent overtone, was watered down to "Buffy" in a nod to Joss Whedon's vampire-killing schoolgirl. In keeping with the metaphorical spirit, Facebook's Buffy project rose from its apparent grave, resurrected by Facebook CTO Bret Taylor.
In lieu of actual comments from Facebook and HTC, unidentified sources close to the project (USCPs) are saying Buffy will feature a heavily-forked Android platform which integrates Facebook services. The initial response from the blogosphere and twitterverse has been largely underwhelming, which raises the question; do people even want a Facebook phone?
Back in November, France Telecom-Orange announced that cell phones featuring deep-integration of Facebook were the cornerstone of that company's planned foray into Eastern Europe and Africa. That initiative will launch in thirteen countries throughout the year, and its success (or failure) may give some visibility on Buffy. But, then again, it might not. The bigger picture of Orange's Africa story is not so much of the phones themselves, but the leveraging of developing markets.
Gannes points out the upside of a Facebook phone lies in taking FB out of the realm of app and integrating its social features into the broader functions of contact lists, calendars, inboxes and maps.
One more thing to consider: for people with distant relations of friends, Facebook is a less expensive alternative to international calling. But, what's the most compelling reason to own a Facebook phone? So that your private information will become available for sale to corporations while you're on the go, of course. I know, right? Who wouldn't want that?
Microsoft Readies 360 for Upcoming Battle over the Living Room
Microsoft is hammering it home that the Xbox 360 isn't just for Halo anymore. That company has been busy striking up deals with broadcasters and content providers across the world as part of its bid to crown the 360 as king of the connected living room. Most recently, Microsoft entered into partnerships with Verizon and France Telecom-Orange to bring FiOS and Orange TV programming to the console. Both deals feature gestural and voice command over the viewing experience via Microsoft's Kinect input device, and they are only the latest in a string of content partnerships with heavy hitters such as AT&T, Netflix, Hulu+, ESPN, YouTube and Zune. Microsoft expects to add programming from the BBC, Bravo channel, Canal+, EPIX and HBO GO to the Xbox Live portfolio.
In September of last year, Informa had predicted that connected TV platforms would prove the dominant gateway to the connected home, rather than any one device, but it's certainly not seeming like Microsoft will give in that easily. Powered by assets like its Bing voice search engine and Skype VoIP, the Xbox is shaping up to be a major contender for entertainment and communications in the living room.
Respect for a Fallen Rival
And finally, we at Pipeline say goodbye to Connected Planet. Penton Media shut down operations of connectedplanetonline.com as of Dec. 23. Warren Bimblick, SVP of strategy and business development at Penton, explained, "We tried for some time but it never achieved an appropriate revenue model."
Connected Planet filled some pretty hefty shoes, following as it did in the storied footsteps of the 100 year old Telephony magazine. The closure of Connected Planet signifies the end of an era and it will leave a lasting impression on the marketplace.
As for Pipeline, we will continue to bring you the news, information, and emerging technology from the world of communications to help you shape your business in this new year.
