Almost nobody is interested in a Facebook phone, says survey

[Shawn Knight]

Despite the fact that there hasn’t been much evidence until recently to support a Facebook phone, rumors on the subject have been brewing for a couple of years now. That’s all good and well but is anyone actually interested in buying a handset with a heavy social networking focus?

According to at least one survey, the answer is no. A recent poll conducted by Retrevo found that 82 percent of respondents had zero interest buying a Facebook smartphone or Facebook phone service. 15 percent of those questioned said they would need to know more about the product / service while only three percent were interested.

With that kind of response, one has to wonder why the social network would be interested in producing their own smartphone. Surely they’ve performed market research to gauge interest but perhaps it has to do with the demographic they are after. One would have to imagine that such a device would be targeted towards teens and young adults, but I digress.

The reactions were similar when respondents were asked if they would purchase an Amazon smartphone with Amazon phone service. On average, roughly 66 percent of people had no interest in a handset or service from Amazon. Nearly a quarter said they would need more information before making a decision either way with only 9.8 percent claiming they would buy such a device.

If either of these phones actually come to pass, they’ll have a tough time competing with heavy hitters like Apple, Samsung and even Nokia for market share.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/52144-almost-nobody-is-interested-in-a-facebook-phone-says-survey.html

 

[Ranger12]

It looks like it would be all the rage with teenage girls, that's about it. If it performed anything like their mobile app it would probably take about 10 minutes to boot up, 10 minutes to check for updates and another 10 to post a status update, assuming there were no crashes.

 

[m4a4]

Hey! A survey I can actually believe

 

[Guest]

No. Not interested. More interested in leaving Facebook.

 

[VitalyT]

It needs a big TROLL button in the middle, so its purpose is well visualized.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

So if every social network decided to do something like this you'd have your FB phone in one pocket, your Twitter phone in another pocket your Instagram phone in your back pocket etc. On top of that you'd have to find space on your person for your 6 inch screen cell phone (which by the way, can handle all your social networking needs). Imagine you bought all of these devices on contract and now you have to go hungry because there is no money for food, you just bought all these devices to impress your buddies and the hell out of the chicks. Now imagine all these devices stuffed into all your available pockets, you wind up looking like the Michelin man... What happens when you need to go to the bathroom? Yeah, a social network dedicated phones are a brilliant idea. In fact lets have individual devices for all our individual programs.
This article still smacks of an April fools joke to me.

 

[3DCGMODELER]

Sorry have a phone, a smart one... don't need another one, one phone is enough...

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Why would anyone need a Facebook phone. As they say.... 'There's an app for that'

 

[Guest]

Are they want to add exclusive 'facebook service' just like blackberry service?

 

[veLa]

Well to be fair, people aren't interested because current android phones are basically already Facebook phones. I assume that the so called Facebook phone would be a mid-tier android device with slightly more Facebook integration. It's probably going to be around $100 and be targeted towards middle and high school kids who can't really afford a $250 Galaxy phone.

 

[Ultraman1966]

"The reactions where similar"
You mean, "were".
Sorry for the pedantry!
I think a facebook phone makes little sense unless it is quite cheap (Say around £130) and thus ripe to takeover from the current BBs that many teens are still using.

 

[Jad Chaar]

The Home doesnt get dumb enough. In a few months they will be putting in Ads... some customization.

 

[St1ckM4n]

Still waiting for the exclusive features list.

 

[VitalyT]

Still waiting for the exclusive features list.

The only exclusivity I would consider with such phone is direct line to Zuckerberg to tell him what I think about Facebook and its visitors. Yep, this is one exclusive feature that would be overly satisfying.

 

[TS-56336]

A Facebook phone just simply makes NO sense. Facebook serves its purpose fine as a web-based social media network and the apps for BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and iOS are all just fine?. I just don't see it happening beyond a fizzle, then a flop. But, I guess we'll see!

 

[Guest]

I don't want a facebook phone, I want twitter phone!!