Yesterday Facebook and HTC finally announced their joint venture into another Facebook Phone, although this time it truly is more of a Facebook Phone than the previous failures. We’ve been seeing mixed feelings and reports on the entire idea, and it’s safe to say we have our own doubts. However, there is one awesome fact about the HTC first. It runs stock Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean under the Facebook Home launcher.
In the end Facebook Home is only a launcher! If there is one thing we and many others will really like about the HTC first is the hardware and build quality. HTC is no stranger to building some durable and fancy phones. Myself, it’s the software that ruins it for me. I have a confession or two to make. I’m not the biggest fan of HTC Sense, even the new Sense on the HTC One. I’m also not much of a Facebook user. Twitter and Google+ are my go-to social sites.
In the world of Android smartphones I know there’s hundreds of you readers (myself included) that have always wished manufacturers would offer their custom skins as an option. Don’t like Samsung’s TouchWiz? Disable it! Sense UI isn’t your cup of tea? Just go back to stock Android. This is something many wish we had in this day and age, but sadly it isn’t an option – usually. That being said, the HTC first is HTC’s first stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean phone. All it takes is a quick tap in the settings menu.
We haven’t seen this mentioned much, so figured a PSA was in order. You can completely remove Facebook Home in seconds just by heading into settings and disabling it on the HTC first. What lays underneath? Stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean in all its glory. For those looking for a vanilla Google experience on a pretty excellent mid-range phone. The HTC first for $99 might be a good move. It has Qualcomm’s absolute latest 400 series dual-core processor, a 720p HD display, 4G LTE, and if you’d like to get social you can.
What this means is come April 12th for just $99 you can get a pretty impressive HTC smartphone with completely stock Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. This is as close as we’ll get to the HTC Nexus One for now folks. Check out the full specs on the device below, then let us know in the comments if this changes your mind about buying one. While we’re here I’ll say it one more time. Google, please make the HTC Nexus 5.
[device id=6548]
this news should be front and center for anyone thinking about getting this phone.
Plus, according to the specs, there is an FM radio and the screen is right in that goldilocks 4.3 inch zone.
If FB Home is merely a launcher that is great. Not that I am getting this phone or anything, but Samsung and HTC should take the hint with TW and Sense. 🙂
I wish all phones had this feature.. soooo bad. But it won’t ever happen. Well, not stock at least
Too bad about the stupid menu button and the fact that it’ll never be updated from a 9-month version of Android.
never know. It’s easier to update stock Android and not deal with those skins
how big is the battery?
How Big Is The Battery?
HOW BIG IS THE BATTERY!?
I have yet to see this stat anywhere…
You just have to open your eyes and read it.
Right at the end of our post in the device specs dropdown.
2,000 mAh.
awesome 99 outright? that’s unreal!
no $99 on contract bud
To be honest, I think this is the most fascinating thing I have come accross in while! I thought this this phone was a joke, still do, but now finding out that it is basically a removable launcher I’m ecstatic!!! Pretty happy that with the specs on this device too, 720p 4.3″ screen…and everything else! Not saying it would replace a flagship spec’d device, but I’d love to get one of these on the side just because of that $99 price tag.
So glad this crap doesn’t come with nexus devices!!
Just more bloatware I don’t need.Even it’s just an APK!!