Facebook Says Home Smartphone App Will Get Features

Facebook Home, its new app for smartphones, doesn't seem to be finding a home with consumers.

Facebook (FB) acknowledged as much in a statement issued to the media Thursday.

"While many people love it, we've heard a lot of great feedback about how to make Home substantially better," said Facebook in a statement. "As a result, we're focusing the next few months on adding customization features that address the feedback we received."

Facebook Home was introduced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg on April 4, a software application people can download to their smartphone. The app is intended to make Facebook easier to navigate and more versatile. The app is based on the Google (GOOG) Android operating system.

That same day, the CEO of phone maker HTC, Peter Chou, announced alongside Zuckerberg a new cellphone, called First, that came with the Home application preinstalled. The phone is sold by AT&T (T). A month after the phone went on sale, though, AT&T dropped the price from $99 to 99 cents, as BGR reported, a move AT&T described as a sales promotion. And later BGR said HTC planned to discontinue the phone.

Indications are that sales of First and downloads of Home have been less than expected.

News website TechCrunch reported Thursday that U.K. telecom carrier EE would postpone its launch of the HTC First, due to the changes to the app that Facebook plans to make. TechCrunch also said it confirmed that France-based telecom carrier Orange also intended to postpone its launch of HTC's First.

Facebook has been focused on building its mobile market, seen as key to its revenue growth. Facebook reported having 680 mobile monthly active users in Q1, of which 157 million were exclusively mobile, as IBD reported. It reported mobile ad revenue of $375 million in the quarter, or 30% of total ad revenue, up from 23% in Q4.

Facebook shares fell a fraction in the stock market today.

~ Investors
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