Saturday, May 21, 2022
  • Hype
  • Murai
  • Lipstiq
  • Diva
  • Varnam
  • Moviedash
  • Autofreaks
Lowyat.NET
  • News
    • Lifestyle
    • Computing
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • Rumours & Leaks
    • Software
  • Forums
    • Kopitiam
    • Tradezone
    • Property Talk
    • Finance & Business
    • Fast and Furious
  • Gaming
    • PC Gaming
    • Console
    • Esports
  • Mobile
    • Apps
    • OS
    • Tablets
    • Phones
    • Telco
      • Celcom
      • DiGi
      • Maxis
      • Tune Talk
      • U Mobile
      • Buzzme
  • Pricelists
    • Hardware
      • Compu-zone
      • Viewnet
      • Thundermatch
      • Sri Computers
    • Notebooks
      • Compu-zone
    • Smartphones
      • Thundermatch
  • More
    • Automotive Tech
    • Drone
    • Enterprise
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • E-Hailing
    • Wearables
No Result
View All Result
Lowyat.NET
  • News
    • Lifestyle
    • Computing
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • Rumours & Leaks
    • Software
  • Forums
    • Kopitiam
    • Tradezone
    • Property Talk
    • Finance & Business
    • Fast and Furious
  • Gaming
    • PC Gaming
    • Console
    • Esports
  • Mobile
    • Apps
    • OS
    • Tablets
    • Phones
    • Telco
      • Celcom
      • DiGi
      • Maxis
      • Tune Talk
      • U Mobile
      • Buzzme
  • Pricelists
    • Hardware
      • Compu-zone
      • Viewnet
      • Thundermatch
      • Sri Computers
    • Notebooks
      • Compu-zone
    • Smartphones
      • Thundermatch
  • More
    • Automotive Tech
    • Drone
    • Enterprise
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • E-Hailing
    • Wearables
No Result
View All Result
Lowyat.NET
No Result
View All Result
Home Mobile Apps

Preview: Facebook Home

by Pang Tun Yau
April 15, 2013
Preview: Facebook Home
31
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

facebook-home-2

Seeing as the official Facebook Home app isn’t yet available for us, we tried out the unofficial app that we mentioned earlier this morning. Given that it is unofficial, some parts (such as notification integration) aren’t yet available and may be due to the app itself and not Facebook Home. However, the unofficial app from MoDaCo works flawlessly in terms of stability and performance.

Should you try it out? Is Facebook Home even worth the trouble? Head on after the jump to find out.

We installed the apk file on a LG Nexus 4, since the stock Facebook app can be fully removed. We also tried to install the app on an Acer Liquid C1 and a Sony Xperia ZL – but both devices had Facebook pre-installed on the phones and would require root access before they could be removed. Hence, we only went ahead with the Nexus 4.

Installing the app hardly took an effort. First, you’ll need to completely uninstall and remove the stock Facebook and Facebook Messenger app from the device, which can be easily done via Settings – Apps.  Next, we installed the patched Facebook (Katana), Facebook Messenger (Orca) and Facebook Home apk files (in that order). Once that was done, we opened the Facebook app and signed in, after which an entry will appear on the timeline to launch Facebook Home. The Android system will then prompt if the user wants to use the Home launcher or the default launcher.

facebook-home-12

After selecting the Home launcher, the app will take a few seconds before Facebook takes over your Android device. Images and status updates adorn your home screen, and tapping on the screen will pop out the user’s display picture a la Chat Heads. A double tap on any photo or status update that is on the screen will “Like” that image or status.

One thing that is apparent about Facebook Home is its slick interface. Animations are extremely fluid, and Chat Heads move around with little to no lag. For those who are constantly on Facebook, the Home launcher and the Cover Feed are the perfect companion. However, there are several drawbacks that become apparent after spending some time with Facebook Home.

facebook-home-6

facebook-home-8

facebook-home-7

ADVERTISEMENT

For instance, there is no way to sort the items on the Cover Feed. On the standard Facebook app, one can sort the timeline entries by “Most Recent” and “Top Stories”; on Cover Feed, there is no way to sort the entries – which also not sorted in chronological order.

In addition, the user cannot set status updates from Home, and instead will need to open the Facebook app to do that. Home only allows users to browse through entries in the timeline, comment and like them.

facebook-home-5The pull-down menu is hidden by default on Facebook Home.

facebook-home-1

facebook-home-3

facebook-home-4The Recent Apps screen on Facebook Home is untouched by the launcher.

Also, integration with the system could be a bit tighter. There are no visual changes in the pull-down menu and the “Recent apps” screen. Notifications are also a hit-and-miss affair – although it must be noted that this is not the official app. During our time with Home, only Facebook notifications appeared, while emails, SMS, Twitter updates and Whatsapp messages did not appear on the home screen; they only appeared on the pull-down menu – which, incidentally, needs to be pulled down twice due to Home’s nature of hiding the pull-down menu.

facebook-home-11SMS messages are not displayed on the Facebook Messenger app, and there are no options to compose SMS messages as well.

In addition, the SMS integration found in stock Facebook Messenger is broken in this version of Home – which TechCrunch notes is a persistent issue with MoDaCo’s patches.

facebook-home-13

All in all, this unofficial patch of Facebook Home serves as a solid preview of what Facebook Home is all about. The app is highly polished and works flawlessly. On the other hand, it also highlights several parts within Facebook Home that could use some working on. Should you get Facebook Home when it is officially available? Unless you spend almost all the time on Facebook, we’re struggling to find a good reason to replace your standard Android launcher with Facebook Home.

Tags: AndroidFacebook HomeNexus 4
Back to top
Share1Tweet1SendShare

ADVERTISEMENT

RELATED ARTICLES

realme pad x china announced
Tablets

realme Pad X Unveiled; Launching In China Next Week

by Heirul Kamel
May 20, 2022

realme China has announced that it will be releasing yet another device to its tablet lineup this year. Unlike the...

Read more
hishammuddin hussein defence minister jpn data leak
Data Breaches

Defence Minister Not Worried About Personal Data Leak

by Ikmal Rozlan
May 20, 2022

Just recently, a database showed up on a popular database marketplace that contained the personal information of about 22.5 million...

Read more
OPPO Find X5 Pro Review: Solid Flagship, But Something’s Missing
Mobile Phones

OPPO Find X5 Pro Review: Solid Flagship, But Something’s Missing

by Heirul Kamel
May 20, 2022

OPPO has officially launched the Find X5 Pro flagship in Malaysia. Along with it are numerous hardware upgrades such as...

Read more
Twitter To Hide False And Misleading Tweets During Crises
Social Media

Twitter To Hide False And Misleading Tweets During Crises

by John Law
May 20, 2022

Twitter is introducing a crisis misinformation policy, in an effort to prevent the further spread of false information during times...

Read more
Load More
No Result
View All Result

TRENDING TODAY

  1. 1
    Transportation

    Rapid KL Bus Skip Stop Xpress To Go Straight To Ampang Park, KLCC

  2. 2
    Telco

    Big Four Telcos Reportedly Want Majority Stake Of DNB

  3. 3
    Apps

    Preview: Facebook Home

  4. 4
    News

    Amazon Web Services To Develop Data Centres In Malaysia

  5. 5
    Mobile Phones

    OPPO Find X5 Pro Goes Official In Malaysia For RM4,999

Lowyat.NET

Consumer Tech News & Reviews Malaysia

NETWORK

  • Hype
  • Murai
  • Lipstiq
  • Diva
  • Varnam
  • Moviedash
  • Autofreaks

ABOUT

  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Privacy Statement
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

©2022 LOWYAT MEDIA, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Lifestyle
    • Computing
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • Rumours & Leaks
    • Software
  • Forums
    • Kopitiam
    • Tradezone
    • Property Talk
    • Finance & Business
    • Fast and Furious
  • Gaming
    • PC Gaming
    • Console
    • Esports
  • Mobile
    • Apps
    • OS
    • Tablets
    • Phones
    • Telco
      • Celcom
      • DiGi
      • Maxis
      • Tune Talk
      • U Mobile
      • Buzzme
  • Pricelists
    • Hardware
      • Compu-zone
      • Viewnet
      • Thundermatch
      • Sri Computers
    • Notebooks
      • Compu-zone
    • Smartphones
      • Thundermatch
  • More
    • Automotive Tech
    • Drone
    • Enterprise
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion
    • E-Hailing
    • Wearables

©2022 LOWYAT MEDIA, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn More.