Engadget

Is Facebook working on a phone? (update: No.)

Joshua Topolsky — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:29:00 EST

A report from TechCrunch today claims that Facebook may be working on a phone of its own to compete in the ever-warming smartphone race. According to a "source who has knowledge of the project," the social networking site has put two high level employees to the task of creating a smartphone which will allow deep integration with Facebook contacts. Apparently, says the source, Facebook has been concerned that Apple and Google represent some kind of threat as competitors, though there is rather deep Facebook integration in the Android platform, and even the iPhone app allows for contact merging. Additionally, the site speculates that the device could be targeted at the low end of the market ($50 or less), which would not place it as a direct competitor to anything but featurephones. The article goes as far to suggest that Facebook and Spotify investor Li Ka-Shing (who apparently had a hand in the Spotify featurephone with INQ) may have started putting those efforts and relationships into the Facebook handset. But, INQ's been down this road with Facebook already -- take a look at the INQ1.

Still, TechCrunch says that Joe Hewitt and Matthew Papakipos are "secretly working on the project," which is being kept tightly under wraps; even Facebook employees are in the dark about the plan. Hewitt and Papakipos have certainly both worked in this space: the former created the Facebook iPhone app, and the latter was head of Google's Chrome OS team until June. But the article strangely leaves out what could be the most telling piece of the puzzle -- the departure of Android's lead project manager, Erick Tseng. After leaving the company in May, he went directly to Facebook to take on the job of head of mobile products. Keep in mind, Erick was high-up enough at Android to act as a spokesperson for the brand -- even appearing on the Engadget Show to talk about the platform.

But does this make for a Facebook Phone in our future? That's not so clear -- the idea that the company would see an opportunity in an already overcrowded smartphone marketplace is questionable, and if it's truly worried about the major players, it wouldn't be targeting a low end handset. We also may be giving the company a little too much credit to think that it can pull off being a heavy hitter in the social networking space (platform and all), and make a dent in the hardware and services game (remember, the competition is Microsoft, Apple, Google, RIM, and Nokia). Like all rumor and speculation in the gadget world, take it with a grain of salt, but you can be sure we'll be putting our feelers out to get a concrete answer on this one.

Update: Facebook wasted no time today shooting the idea down: "The story, which originated in Techcrunch, is not accurate," a spokesperson told Mashable. "Facebook is not building a phone." The company told the publication that it's focusing on "deep integration" with existing mobile platforms, but that "building phones is just not what we do."

Is Facebook working on a phone? (update: No.) originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 19 Sep 2010 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Erick Tseng leaves Google and Android... for Facebook

Nilay Patel — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:27:00 EST

Looks like Google's Android team is being shaken up a little: senior product manager Erick Tseng just announced on Twitter that he's leaving for a new position at Facebook. You might remember Erick from his appearance on The Engadget Show and a brief video we did with him at CES -- he was an instrumental part of the Android team, and a pretty great interview to boot. We'll see how Google decides to fill his shoes, but for now let's wish Erick luck with the new gig -- we're sure he's got a million new friend requests coming his way.

Erick Tseng leaves Google and Android... for Facebook originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 May 2010 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show - 005: Google's Erick Tseng, CES wrap-up, WiDi, AR.Drone, and more!

Chad Mumm — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:05:00 EST

Well it's been a wild couple of weeks here at Engadget. Between CES 2010 (our biggest show ever), the Nexus One launch, forthcoming Apple announcements (and loads of Apple rumors), it's unlikely we'll forget the start of our new decade anytime soon. Still, amidst all the craziness we had time to sit down for another Engadget Show -- and what a show it was. Grab a loved one and a tasty beverage of your choosing and settle in to watch our in-depth interview with Erick Tseng, a wrap-up of all things CES, plus fascinating demos of Intel's new Wireless Display, Parrot's crazy AR.Drone, the Plastic Logic QUE, Alienware's M11X, and so much more. Tune in now -- you'll kick yourself if you miss this.

Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, Nilay Patel
Special guest: Erick Tseng
Produced and Directed by: Chad Mumm
Executive Producer: Joshua Fruhlinger
Edited by: Michael Slavens
Music by: Glomag
Visuals by: Dan Winckler
Opening titles by: Julien Nantiec

Download the Show: The Engadget Show - 005 (HD) / The Engadget Show - 005 (iPod / iPhone / Zune formatted)

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Continue reading The Engadget Show - 005: Google's Erick Tseng, CES wrap-up, WiDi, AR.Drone, and more!

The Engadget Show - 005: Google's Erick Tseng, CES wrap-up, WiDi, AR.Drone, and more! originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Select Nexus One users complaining of touchscreen calibration, 3G connectivity issues

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:27:00 EST

As totally awesome and exciting as the Nexus One might be, with any new device there are bound to be some growing pains -- f'rinstance, you might have heard about issues with the phone's 3G connectivity. Well, Google has too (hell, our buddy Erick Tseng even addressed it on The Engadget Show yesterday) and while the cause is less than clear, the company assures us it's working feverishly to get to the bottom of it. Unfortunately, that isn't the only problem newly minted Nexus One owners are noticing. According to a lively discussion on Google's Android forum, some folks are experiencing extreme touchscreen calibration issues after cold booting the phone -- problems that resolve themselves (temporarily) after putting the thing to sleep and then turning it back on. That said, the good folks at Google assure us they're on the case. If it turns out that it's a hardware problem, it'll be covered under your warranty. Software? They'll issue a patch for it. If your phone's having problems and you feel like joining the conversation, hit that source link.

Select Nexus One users complaining of touchscreen calibration, 3G connectivity issues originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Android version will be called Froyo, says Erick Tseng

Vlad Savov — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:10:00 EST

Proving once again that those who don't watch The Engadget Show are always going to be one step behind those who do, our latest star guest Erick Tseng has dropped a dollop of exclusive wisdom on us: Android's next big iteration will be known as Froyo. That's short for "frozen yogurt" and fits right in line with the zany naming scheme that has delivered us Cupcakes, Donuts, and Eclairs so far. If you had your money on Flan being next in that alphabetical order, sorry to disappoint. No additional info could be squeezed out of the Google man at present -- such as how much further along Froyo will be from Android 2.1 (technically considered part of Eclair) or when we might expect the upgrade -- but we've got a name and that should be plenty to get us started on another wonderful journey of soothsaying and speculation.

Next Android version will be called Froyo, says Erick Tseng originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 19:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show tapes today with Erick Tseng of Google, our CES wrap-up... and we're giving away a Nexus One!

Joshua Topolsky — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:40:00 EST

If you caught our coverage during CES 2010 (and you better have!), then you probably saw our quick sit-down with Senior Product Manager for Android, Erick Tseng. We had such a good time chatting with him and had so many other questions, we thought having him on the Engadget Show made lots of sense! So, today Erick will join us live on-stage to answer all of our burning questions (and yours too -- shout them out in comments). We'll also be doing a wrap-up of all the gear we saw at CES during our editors roundtable, we'll be flying the Parrot A.R. Drone live and in-person, and we're giving away a bunch of stuff to audience members (including CES swag, limited edition Engadget t-shirts... and a Nexus One courtesy of Google)! Oh, and we'll have more chiptune goodness from our friend Glomag. Don't miss this one, it's going to be crazy.

The Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's all the info you need:

There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free
The event is all ages
Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 2PM on Saturday, doors will open for seating at 4:30PM, and the show begins at 5PM
You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full
The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break)
The show length is around an hour

If you're a member of the media who wishes to attend, please contact us at: engadgetshowmedia [at] engadget [dot] com, and we'll try to accommodate you. All other non-media questions can be sent to: engadgetshow [at] engadget [dot] com.

Subscribe to the Show:

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[Zune] Subscribe to the Show directly in the Zune Marketplace (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Engadget Show feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Continue reading The Engadget Show tapes today with Erick Tseng of Google, our CES wrap-up... and we're giving away a Nexus One!

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The Engadget Show tapes today with Erick Tseng of Google, our CES wrap-up... and we're giving away a Nexus One! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Jan 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Show tapes this Saturday, January 16th with Erick Tseng of Google and our CES wrap-up!

Joshua Topolsky — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:06:00 EST

If you caught our coverage during CES 2010 (and you better have!), then you probably saw our quick sit-down with Senior Product Manager for Android, Erick Tseng. We had such a good time chatting with him and had so many other questions, we thought having him on the Engadget Show made lots of sense! So, this Saturday, January 16th, Erick will join us live on-stage to answer all of our burning questions (and yours too -- shout them out in comments). We'll also be doing a wrap-up of all the gear we saw at CES during our editors roundtable, and giving away a bunch of stuff to audience members (including CES swag and limited edition Engadget t-shirts)! Oh, and we'll have more chiptune goodness from our friend Glomag.

The Show is sponsored by Sprint, and will take place at the Times Center, part of The New York Times Building in the heart of New York City at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues (see map after the break). Tickets are -- as always -- free to anyone who would like to attend, but seating is limited, and tickets will be first come, first served... so get there early! Here's all the info you need:

There is no admission fee -- tickets are completely free
The event is all ages
Ticketing will begin at the Times Center at 2PM on Saturday, doors will open for seating at 4:30PM, and the show begins at 5PM
You cannot collect tickets for friends or family -- anyone who would like to come must be present to get a ticket
Seating capacity in the Times Center is about 340, and once we're full, we're full
The venue is located at 41st St. between 7th and 8th Avenues in New York City (map after the break)
The show length is around an hour

Continue reading The Engadget Show tapes this Saturday, January 16th with Erick Tseng of Google and our CES wrap-up!

The Engadget Show tapes this Saturday, January 16th with Erick Tseng of Google and our CES wrap-up! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Engadget Interview: Erick Tseng, Senior Product Manager of Android

Joshua Topolsky — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:34:00 EST

We had a chance to sit down with Erick Tseng, Senior Product Manager of Android at Google, who you may remember from that little press event the big G held the other day. We have a pretty detailed conversation on the impetus behind the Nexus One, details on Google's long-term strategy for its online store, a deep dive on the device itself, and lots more. We've split the chat up into three, easy-to-digest parts, so hit the videos after the break and get the full scoop!

Continue reading The Engadget Interview: Erick Tseng, Senior Product Manager of Android

The Engadget Interview: Erick Tseng, Senior Product Manager of Android originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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