Facebook to reveal its new ‘Android home’

Facebook will reveal its "new home on Android" on Thursday at an event where the American company is widely expected to unveil a homescreen for smartphones.

The social media giant has refused to divulge any further details relating to the launch beyond promising a “product announcement”.

An invitation asks guests to "come see our new home on Android" at a function in California.

The event has already generated widespread interest online, where much speculation surrounds the rumoured Facebook homescreen which analysts suggest would run on Google’s mobile operating system Android.

Leaked images of what is claimed to be a “Facebook phone” have also appeared on websites, feeding theories that the social network could showcase a new HTC mobile made with integrated Facebook features.

Stuart Miles, founder of technology and gadget site Pocket-lint, said: "My initial thought was that they couldn't possibly be launching a phone because that would be silly, because every phone is already a Facebook phone.

“I think ultimately this will be an enhanced app that you can run from your homescreen on Android which will give you the feeling that your phone is a Facebook phone.”

The launch of an “enhanced app” would reinforce Facebook’s “mobile first” attitude, he said, as users increasingly monitor the social networking site from smartphones and tablets, rather than desktop computers.

According to the site, more than 680 million of its one billion users now check Facebook from mobile devices.

Both Facebook and HTC have refused to comment on the speculation surrounding the announcement. The launch event will be broadcast live online at around 6pm.

Press Association