The Facebook phone

Zuckerberg's smartphone plans revealed...

11:13 29 May 2012

Facebook is said to be following in the footsteps of Google by building a new, dedicated smartphone, according to reports.

Social networking bosses have apparently hired iPhone engineers to help come up with a Facebook smartphone by next year, say the New York Times.

This news comes after it was revealed that Google had signed a deal with Motorola to create a new mobile device.

Facebook has reportedly recruited a new team to help build the device, hiring former Apple hardware and software engineers who all previously worked on the iPhone and iPad.

A source told the publication that this would be the social network's third attempt at constructing a smartphone.

In 2010, Techcrunch reported that Facebook was "secretly" building a new device, however this attempt is said to have broken down.

The insider also explained the apparent reason behind boss Mark Zukerberg's new plans:

"Mark is worried that if he doesn't create a mobile phone in the near future that Facebook will simply become an app on other mobile platforms."

The company, which recently floated on the stock market, has also just launched its own mobile app store.

The App Center currently offers links to Facebook-compatible apps within Google Android and Apple's iOS stores, however web developers will be able to write applications solely for the Facebook Store.