After the hardware leaks that we saw earlier, 9to5Google in conjunction with @evleaks have brought us a look at the custom launcher Facebook has built for Android, namely: Facebook Home.
Compared to traditional Android launchers, Facebook Home seems like a wild departure. It seems to have almost none of the staples we have come to expect from Android and looks like a complete overhaul. What looks like the app tray also features shortcuts to post a new status, media or check in on Facebook, similar to its mobile app.
Even what appears to be the homescreen seems like a rethinking of traditional mobile homescreens, with large images and visual notifications taking up a lion’s share of the screen real estate. Overall, it looks pretty minimalistic and visual. These initial leaks make it appear quite appealing, though only time will tell for sure.
Of course, we should expect to be assailed by Facebook-centric options no matter where we are in the phone, a fact that might only appeal to the most gregarious among us.
As far as the rumors go, Facebook Home should be available on the Google Play Store as an alternate launcher for most devices, though it will only come pre-installed on the HTC First, which shall also be announced at the event tomorrow.
This seems to be Facebook’s biggest play in mobile yet, and it might end up shaping our digital lives in a while. We’ll bring you timely updates as the matter develops!
