HTC and Facebook have finally unveiled the First, a smartphone that essentially revolves around Facebook runs on AT&T’s network. The First is the first device that will come preloaded with Facebook Home. Home is going to be a launcher system that will be available for download on Android phones & will begin to be preinstalled on others. When asked about Facebook Home, AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega went as far as saying that Home is “the most immersive engagement I’ve ever seen.”
Even though the First will be running on Facebook Home, underneath that UI you will find Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. Another interesting thing about the First is that even though it is running Home, it is going to be running a version of Home that has features that the Home available from the Play Store won’t be capable of. The First will also be the first device to come preinstalled with Instagram (since Facebook’s purchase of Instagram).
Now for some just general information/specs about the First. The device will be shipped in four different colors: red, light blue, white, and black. It has a 4.3″ display, a 1280 x 720 pixel Super LCD display, three capacitive buttons acting as navigation, as well as a 5MP rear and 1.6MP front facing cameras. It also features 16GB of onboard storage with no mention of a microSD card slot and a 2,000mAh battery. The First will run on AT&T’s 4G LTE network and will be available online and in select stores on Friday, April 12th for $99.99, but pre-orders are open now.
