The product:
Facebook Home for Android is an interesting, and odd, experiment from the big dog in social
networking. On the one hand, the home-screen replacement software introduces some daring, even likable, ideas about how to interact with your friends on your phone -- and soon, on your tablet. On the other hand, Home is very much first-generation software that could use more time in the oven to become truly useful for Facebook fanatics.
The software, which supplants your home screen interface with images and status updates from your friends' Facebook news feed, is niche at best. At worst, it's a hostile single-network takeover that commands you to place Facebook first and all other phone apps and tasks second. Thankfully, Facebook Home is completely optional and somewhat customizable, so you can keep your lock screen intact and access Android every other way.
Home may have limited appeal, but in pushing Facebook's mobile aspirations forward, the social network offers terrific chatting implementation, fun animation, and some rather elegant ways to navigate around.
No matter how often they refresh, Facebook built the Cover Feed screens to be highly interactive. From here, you'll be able to tap icons and images to Like them (you're rewarded with a giant "thumbs-up" animation), and read and leave comments.
Tapping your own icon at the bottom of the screen opens a mini onscreen navigation array that lets you go back to the previously opened app, launch messaging, or open your apps launcher.
What it offers:
Facebook Home dominates your Android start screen, it really only makes sense if you're a Facebook junkie. Luckily, you can dial down Facebook Home or completely remove it, even if it comes preloaded on your device.
The advantage:
Facebook Home puts the social network front and center, and introduces a chatting system that's immediately addictive and useful. It's easy to tweak for maximal (or minimal) interaction.
The unfavorable:
In full effect, Facebook Home forces you to relearn how to navigate your phone. The transition from Facebook Home to the chatting and mobile apps should be smoother.Via
Facebook Home for Android is an interesting, and odd, experiment from the big dog in social
The software, which supplants your home screen interface with images and status updates from your friends' Facebook news feed, is niche at best. At worst, it's a hostile single-network takeover that commands you to place Facebook first and all other phone apps and tasks second. Thankfully, Facebook Home is completely optional and somewhat customizable, so you can keep your lock screen intact and access Android every other way.
Home may have limited appeal, but in pushing Facebook's mobile aspirations forward, the social network offers terrific chatting implementation, fun animation, and some rather elegant ways to navigate around.
No matter how often they refresh, Facebook built the Cover Feed screens to be highly interactive. From here, you'll be able to tap icons and images to Like them (you're rewarded with a giant "thumbs-up" animation), and read and leave comments.
Tapping your own icon at the bottom of the screen opens a mini onscreen navigation array that lets you go back to the previously opened app, launch messaging, or open your apps launcher.
What it offers:
Facebook Home dominates your Android start screen, it really only makes sense if you're a Facebook junkie. Luckily, you can dial down Facebook Home or completely remove it, even if it comes preloaded on your device.
The advantage:
Facebook Home puts the social network front and center, and introduces a chatting system that's immediately addictive and useful. It's easy to tweak for maximal (or minimal) interaction.
The unfavorable:
In full effect, Facebook Home forces you to relearn how to navigate your phone. The transition from Facebook Home to the chatting and mobile apps should be smoother.Via
