Facebook is Planning to Rival Apple With a New Mobile Platform for iOS Devices

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Posted June 16, 2011 at 1:51am by iClarified

Facebook is about to launch Project Spartan, a new mobile platform aimed squarely at iOS devices, according to TechCrunch.

As we understand it, Project Spartan is the codename for a new platform Facebook is on verge of launching. It’s entirely HTML5-based and the aim is to reach some 100 million users in a key place: mobile. More specifically, the initial target is both surprising and awesome: mobile Safari.

Facebook is reportedly trying to break the stranglehold Apple has on mobile app distribution. 80 outside developers are said to working on the project with teams creating apps that range from news readers to games. Zynga and Huffington Post were named as two of those developers. The platform is expected to be unveiled within a few weeks.

TechCrunch writer MG Siegler says he has seen Project Spartan with his own eyes.

Imagine loading up the mobile web version of Facebook and finding a drop-down for a new type of app. Clicking on one of the apps loads it (from whatever server it’s on depending on the app-maker), and immediately a Facebook wrapper is brought in to surround the app. This wrapper will give the app some basic Facebook functionality, as well as the ability to use key Facebook elements — like Credits.

The goal with Project Spartan is apparently to get people using Facebook as the distribution model for applications and not the App Store.

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Facebook is Planning to Rival Apple With a New Mobile Platform for iOS Devices

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DacksMac - June 16, 2011 at 8:44am

Facebook can't even get their current iOS app running right. The layout is horrible, it's buggy as shit, and with all their money you would think their app wouldn't stink... Wrong.

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Vakas - June 16, 2011 at 5:30am

I don't believe this. Apple will never allow any of the third party platforms on their devices.

Baz - June 16, 2011 at 4:35am

Facebook is shit,Its for kids.

Razorbone - June 16, 2011 at 4:04am

Useless idea... FB is full of SPAM. It wud b a gateway for stealing valuable info & data from your mobile idevice. People at FB has nothing else better to do than brag about things.

SunLizard - June 16, 2011 at 3:17am

This will probably be a case of discovering what they don't do well. Facebook undisputedly was first to scale to the social networking phenomenon. Which gives them market edge. They are now trying to leverage a market they have zero experience in (ie Operating Systems) and can expect a long a grueling battle which they will most likely loose. The other competitors (Apple, MS, HP, Google) have got them beaten in spades (not to mention proprietary patents) FB could potentially open source but they'd probably give up more than they gained there... Another, and final point: I have yet to use one client ap on any browser that gave me a 100% solid experience with Facebook data. Little tiny glitches here and there, like those that propagate Facebook, cannot exist in a reliable OS. (Just ask MS about undeclared /initialized variables in Windows Millennium) Stick to what you know, Facebook.

James - June 16, 2011 at 11:45am

really? you don't think myspace hit it first? Heck if you expand on the idea of social networking then perhaps aol instant messenger or icq would be the pioneers. They had friend lists and away messages. Facebook/myspace just brought those into a web page instead of a running program.

dancj - June 16, 2011 at 3:10am

I can't see me switching to an in-browser app that can't have notifications.

PReaper - June 16, 2011 at 6:40am

Since the notifications in the current fb app doesn't work for sh*t so it would only do the mobile fb experience better..

joe - June 16, 2011 at 2:49am

most of the facebook apps are flash based, so everything needs to be re-done?

angel - June 16, 2011 at 2:02am

It sucks I hate facebook apps they are all spam apps, and also I deleted my facebook acoount it's a wasted of time.

Blondie - June 16, 2011 at 2:12am

I agree with you, Facebook suck

Don - June 16, 2011 at 7:40pm

Take my hat off you to! You "got out"(your acct isn't truly deleted..)