From the Editor's Desk: A few answers from (and more questions for) Facebook

I still don't know what to think about Facebook. I should probably have a better answer than that. After all, we're supposed to go to an event for a couple hours, play with some new stuff -- in this case Facebook Home and the "Facebook phone," aka the HTC First -- and have all the answers, complete with video, slideshow and a couple thousand words telling everyone why what we just saw is the greatest thing since the last greatest thing, or how it'll fail harder than the last time someone went off the reservation.

But that's business as usual. And I don't think what we saw last week at Facebook HQ is business as usual. 

Let's start with Facebook Home. The most basic explanation is that it's a companion launcher to go along with the traditional Facebook application, turning your home screen into a sort of uber-Facebook reader, brining your friends to you ahead of the application. It's very nicely designed. Looks great, and it's easy to use. Yes, you'll need to be really into Facebook to use this. But, again, that's who it's for.

It'll be interesting to see how much confusion comes from Facebook Home on the existing cadre of phones that can run it. (That's the Samsung Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4 and the Note 3, as well as the HTC One X and One X+, and the new HTC One.) Setting a new launcher to be the default home action is gonna freak people out. They'll probably get used to it easily enough, but there's going to be a little bit of a learning curve there.

(On the other hand, look at SwiftKey, another popular downloadable application. It's got a fairly complex setup process, and it's doing just fine.)

Facebook has clarified that Facebook Home -- the launcher -- will be a separate download from the application. That's a pretty big barrier to installation, but it's the right move. If you don't want to use Facebook Home, you don't have to.

The HTC First is actually pretty intriguing. The tech press is falling all over itself because it's a "stock Android" phone. That is, Facebook Home runs on top of a pretty unadulterated build of Android 4.1. So if you turn off Facebook Home, you're back to a Nexus-like experience. And we're all required, by law, to love the stock Android experience. 

But what's more is that this phone gives us, the tech press, everything we've been clamoring for in other phones. It's not too big at 4.3 inches. It's got a microSD card -- never mind that there's nothing "stock Android" about that anymore. It's only got 1GB of RAM and is running on the Snapdragon 400 processor -- today's latest and greatest is on the Snapdragon 600 -- which Qualcomm itself bills for "entry level" phones.

I think that's a pretty long way to go (or stoop?) for a "stock Android" experience with LTE -- while giving up other great features like HTC's camera work, or Samsung's gazillion other bells and whistles. But I think that shows just how much folks have been clamoring for an unskinned phone that's not too big and has LTE. In the world of trade-offs, perhaps the HTC First has the fewest?

I'm real curious to see how the battery life holds up. It's got an embedded 2,000 mAh battery, which isn't going to win any awards for capacity. (Remember that when folks start complaining about battery life.)

I wouldn't trade down from the Nexus 4 to the HTC First just for a "stock" experience. There are cheaper and easier ways to do it. And if you're thinking that "stock Android" on the HTC First means quicker OS updates, remember that there's still a carrier (AT&T) standing between you and a "Pure Google" experience.

It's also kind of important to remember that the HTC First is meant to be a "Facebook experience" phone, for Facebook Home and the immersed users. That's not us.

I keep thinking about AT&T's role in all this. AT&T, after all, was the only U.S. operator to (briefly) carry the first "Facebook phone," the HTC ChaCha. Chances are what we're seeing this week is a continuation of whatever plan was set in motion months and years ago.

I wrote last week about how I think it may be a mistake (I'm not 100 percent sure about that though) for HTC to have its branding on the HTC First at the same time as HTC One is coming to market. Interestingly, it's "Facebook Home" that gets top billing on AT&T's website right now -- it just happens to run on the HTC First. Scroll down a bit and you'll find mention that HTC One's also up for preorder. 

Goes to show that "latest and greatest" isn't always the same as "most important."

Speaking of AT&T, something else just hit me about that list of current devices that'll be able to run Facebook Home. Looking back at the slide from Thursday's presentation, not only are those all devices with a minimum 720p resolution display -- those are all on AT&T. Sure, the Samsung devices are on every other carrier, too. But here's one glaring question: Will Facebook Home not work on the Verizon Droid DNA? I bet it will. But with AT&T the prime U.S. partner for the HTC First, it wouldn't do to have another carrier's branding on the screen, would it? Inside baseball is fun.

If I left the Facebook event wanting anything, it's proper unification of ... well, everything, I think. The fact is very few of us only use one app, or one ecosystem to do everything. We use Gmail. POP-based e-mail. SMS. MMS. Skype. Facebook. Google+. Instant messaging of various protocols. It's a mess. 

Facebook's "chat heads" are cute and interesting, but if you've got a bunch of people pinging you at once could get pretty annoying. Or if your friends change their profile pics (still need to make sure the chat heads pull from profile pics) for the cause du jour. Or, worse, cats.

What I really want? Read/unread status synced across devices for Google IMs, so I don't have to see the same message 13 times. Because it's all about me.

As much as I like the idea of Facebook Home -- and I really do think it's a nicely designed launcher and lead-in to the traditional Facebook application -- there are many here among us (and a number of "normal" smartphone users I've talked to as well since the announcement) who simply don't want to dive headfirst off Facebook's springboard into Facebook's pool wearing Facebook's swim trunks while Facebook keeps a watchful eye from the lifeguard's chair. But the alternative remains pretty messy. 

Facebook, AT&T and HTC might well have done something unseen in the Android world. We got the announcement of a new device, with pricing and the availability date -- all at the same time. And we get it all in a mere eight days.

Everyone else take note: This is how it's done.

So, yeah. There's still plenty to talk about -- and plenty left to experience -- in regards to the Facebook phone, and Facebook Home. I can't wait to spend some quality time with it, actually.

Plus, the HTC One's finally up for preorder. And the Galaxy S4's on its way, too. (Been singing that tune for far too long; it'll be good to finally get devices in to hands.)

Plus, Google I/O is a little more than a month away.

I dare someone to tell me it's a boring time in the Android world.

Don't take portals personally. (Unless you're at least L7.) Sure, you might have submitted it. It might be close by. But it ain't "yours" unless you can hold it.

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iMore Editors' Choice: Badland, Soundcloud, Veronica Mars, and more

iMore Editors' Choice: Badland, Soundcloud, Veronica Mars, and more | iMore.com Skip to main content Android BlackBerry iPhone / iPad Windows Phone webOS SIGN UP|LOG IN iMore Forums Apps Games Accessories Reviews How-To Podcasts Contests iPhone iPad mini iPad iPod touch Apple TV iOS iCloud iTunes Mac Hot: iPhone 5S Guides: iPhone buyers | iPad buyers | iOS users Free: Wallpaper | iPhone apps, games | iPad apps, games Shop Online Cases Chargers Screen protectors Headsets & More Free shipping on orders over $50 iMore Editors' Choice: Badland, Soundcloud, Veronica Mars, and more By Leanna Lofte, Saturday, Apr 6, 2013 a 1:34 pm 11

Every week, the editors and writers at iMore carefully select some of our favorite, most useful, most extraordinary apps, accessories, gadgets, and websites. This week's selections include an app that lets you check the coverage of major US carriers, a refreshing runner game, a music app, a TV show, an app for a popular auctioning service, and an app that lets you bookmark your favorite locations.

Coverage? - Joseph Keller

Whether I'm planning a road trip or writing an article about a carrier for iMore, Coverage tells me where the four major carriers have their various networks deployed, from 2G to LTE. Currently, Coverage provides data on a carrier's roaming areas and its 2G, 3G, "4G", and LTE networks. If you want to look at just one or two networks, you can turn their filters on and off in the top right-hand corner.Coverage uses the reports of each carrier, and it's proven reliable enough for me to count on its information. The only real downside of Coverage is its need for an app update to become current after a network turns on towers in more cities. It's a universal app that costs $2.99, so pick it up if you want this sort of information on hand wherever you go.

$2.99 - Download NowBadland - Simon Sage

Badland is a refreshing new runner game that does away with the idea that you have to be out of the game as soon as you hit anything. In Badland, you control this odd little creature trying to flap its way through a treacherous forest. Debris falls in your path, and odd machinery peaks through the brush and occasionally knocks you around, but the really interesting part are the power ups you pick up. Some types make you smaller, and able to fit through tiny crevices, while others make you larger and massive enough to push aside obstacles. You can play local multiplayer and try to nudge opponents off the edge of the screen, which moves gradually forward as you progress. What really got me about Badland is the altogether polished art style. It's certainly dark, but a little whimsical too. Definitely check this one out if you're looking for something visually refreshing.

$3.99 - Download NowSoundcloud - Chris Parsons

These days, I find myself listening to all sorts of different music. One reason for that is the fact I not too long ago signed up for a Soundcloud account. Rather then listening to the same music over and over, I now just let Soundcloud play on in the background let it pick some music for me. Then, we I hear some stuff I like, I favorite it. My use case is fairly slim in comparison to what Soundcloud is capable of as a whole, but if you're looking to check some new music or even podcasts then it's certainly worth a look. From indie bands to top acts, you'll find them all offering free content on Soundcloud and best of all, the app itself is free.

Free - Download NowVeronica Mars Rene Ritchie

Veronica Mars was a post-Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series that used a similar formula -- small, young, precocious, blond, snarky, lady hero raised in a single family home positively cleaning the clocks of big bad forces all around her. The setting wasn't super natural, but the stories smart, the characters well rendered, and the mix of humor, hope, pain, rage, suspense, and triumph remarkably well balanced and well executed.

Series creator Rob Thomas is currently using Kick Starter to fund a movie spin off. I backed it within moments of it going live and it's now at somewhere around $4.5 million. More money will mean a better movie, however, so if you haven't backed it yet, check it out.

The original three seasons are available on iTunes. They're all good, the first is spectacular.

$49.99 per season - Download now eBay - Ally Kazmucha

We did some spring cleaning around The Pod Drop office and found lots of old iPhones, iPads, damaged logic boards, and pretty much everything you could imagine. To get rid of all this stuff, we frequently use eBay. I'd never really managed eBay auctions from the native iPhone and iPad app but decided to give it a try. I have to say I'm actually pretty impressed.

If you're selling items or bidding on other items, you'll get notifications pushed directly to your iPhone or iPad if you're outbid or when someone places another bid on one of your items. You can literally do almost everything you can on the web based version of eBay through the mobile apps. It's a huge time saver for answering buyer questions on the go. If you use eBay quite often and own an iPhone or iPad, it's hugely convenient.

Free - Download NowRego - Leanna Lofte

Rego is an iPhone app that lets you bookmark your favorite locations. For each locations you can attached photos and notes to remember why it is that you like that location. As a photographer, I'm using Rego as a way to save great photo shoot locations and make notes about lighting, specific areas of the locations, and other helpful details. Rego lets you save up to 10 locations for free and an unlimited amount for $0.99.

Free - Download nowYour choice?

Now that we've chosen our favorites for the week, we want to hear yours! Did you pick up a killer app, accessory, or game this week? Let us know in the comments below!

Leanna Lofte

App and Photography Editor at iMore. Mother, wife, and math instructor. Follow her on Twitter @llofte and send her apps to consider for review at iosapps@imore.com

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5 8 76 0 More of: Apps, App Store Apps, Games, Featured, Regular Features, Picks of the Week
More of: editors choice, Coverage, badland, Soundcloud, veronica mars, Ebay, rego ? PreviouslySecurity vs. convenience: How do you balance your passwords? Next up ?Facebook's not-a-phone gets not-a-commercial There are 11 comments. Add yours. Chris Oldroyd says: Apr 6, 2013 at 1:47 pm - 1 day ago

I've been playing Rayman Jungle Run; now I have found some time for recreation lol.

Reply shinuyuki says: Apr 7, 2013 at 3:36 am - 17 hours ago

Me too. Seems like an amazing game. Nothing more annoying than getting 99/100 and having to start over and then getting like 70. Still an amazing game that I thoroughly enjoy.

Reply NAMISH says: Apr 6, 2013 at 3:08 pm - 1 day ago

"Veronica Mars"... Like seriously??
Way to go man!! That's like one of my personal faves. And of course, rooting for the VM movie all the way...
And thanks for the sound cloud app recommendation. I'm always ready to try my ears at a new tune, and this one seems to look like an app that I'll be using regularly.

Reply cardfan says: Apr 6, 2013 at 6:16 pm - 1 day ago

I thought the first two seasons were good. I never made it past the halfway point in the third season.

Reply NAMISH says: Apr 6, 2013 at 8:45 pm - 1 day ago

Too bad... The third season changed a lot of things but it still pleases in pretty much the same manner as the first two seasons. Not as great as the first season, but it packs a bunch of surprises as it closes to an end. Plus I guess you gotta see it now given that the movie's gonna probably continue with some of the new characters form season 3 in the mix!

Reply asuperstarr says: Apr 6, 2013 at 5:25 pm - 1 day ago

I love this segment every week of you app. Not of the apps are of interest to me, It's always interesting to hear about new apps.

Reply anthonyjpv says: Apr 6, 2013 at 11:33 pm - 21 hours ago

Yes, instapaper. I know it's an old favorite for a lot of people. But..WOW. It's exactly what I've always wanted. I always create tabs for all articles that I want to read; but then end up emailing myself the links so I can continue them later. Sure I used the iCloud bookmarks stuff, but it still was annoying. Having an instapaper account just let's me save some articles for later; suddenly creating a database to read throughout the day. I grab my articles when I can and they get dumped one by one. Honestly..epic.

Reply anthonyjpv says: Apr 6, 2013 at 11:33 pm - 21 hours ago

Support across..everything helps, a lot.

Reply bagarwa says: Apr 7, 2013 at 12:22 am - 20 hours ago

I've been playing Badland since last 2 days. The game graphics is beautiful but the game is just alright. There's not much of a challenge. You can complete each level fairly easily. Getting "clones" created in levels makes them easier. You let closes die while saving one to reach the finish line (pipe?). I now understand that I am supposed to save as many clones as possible, but that wasn't really clear until much later. Good time killer though.

Reply shinuyuki says: Apr 7, 2013 at 3:43 am - 17 hours ago

Badlands seems amazing due to the graphics, and its an amazing time killer; however, I think the price only reflects the graphics. The story/game itself is far too easy and I don't see it worth $4. I think in future updates when the story becomes more complex and completed, it could be worth $4. I look forward to it.

Coverage? Seems dumb as hell, perhaps only worth .99c due to convenience. You can easily go to the coverage website of each of these companies and find out. Easily done on a smartphone via web.

Reply Leo141 says: Apr 7, 2013 at 4:32 am - 16 hours ago

Soundcloud is meh... I find grooveshark much better. However you have to jailbreak to use their app but fortunately the mobile HTML 5 site works well.

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CrackBerry, iMore, webOS Nation, and WPCentral   This week's iMore show (ironically) not live from New YorkEditor's desk: Big Apple AppleFacebook's not-a-phone gets not-a-commercialiMore Editors' Choice: Badland, Soundcloud, Veronica Mars, and moreSecurity vs. convenience: How do you balance your passwords?Debug 12: iCloud and Core Data sync   Bootloaders have been unlocked on the Droid RAZR HD, Atrix HD, RAZR MFrom the Editor's Desk: A few answers from (and more questions for) FacebookNew Google Play Store app sighted on Google+Kyocera Torque reviewFacebook shows us what life can be like with Facebook Home front and center Vote for the BlackBerry Z10 to win in the Smartphone Madness 2013 Finals!From the Editor's Desk - There ain't no party like a CrackBerry party!N.O.V.A 3 review for the BlackBerry Z10: It's about to get messyCreate some banging tunes with SurfaceDJ Lite for BlackBerry 10Fancy some free puzzle action? Check out Trid for BlackBerry 10 Video: Chillingo announces Contre Jour and more Xbox games coming to Windows 8Xbox Windows Phone games AlphaJax and Galactic Reign get all the updatesTemple Run gets rapid “light theme” fix for Windows PhoneNew Nokia RM-877 caught on AT&T’s network, destined to be new flagship Lumia?Wikipedia app updated to Windows Phone 8 with new features, improvements Coming soon: The Great webOS Nation GiveawaySet an AlarmTurn your phone into a Star Trek communicatorSwitching to Android? It'll probably feel familiarAnswer a phone callMonday Brief: BlackBerry Q4 earnings, a Google Watch, and the last Monday Brief ever!   iPhone / iPad ForumsAndroid ForumsBlackBerry ForumsWindows Phone ForumswebOS Forums Copyright 2013 Mobile Nations ? Terms and Conditions ? Privacy Policy

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