Facebook Home: Turn your Android device into the ultimate Facebook smartphone

This morning Facebook revealed a new Android-based mobile initiative called Facebook Home. Mark Zuckerberg was on hand to talk about what would happen if your phone was made to be about "people, not apps," and the result is Facebook Home.

While many assumed that Facebook would be releasing its own hardware device (despite our assurance that it wouldn't!), Home is, instead, a suite of Facebook apps that work together to put Facebook front and center across your entire Android device, making it feel like a "Facebook Phone." For example, in the Coverfeed app, it takes over both the Android homescreen and lock screen, and then provides a regular stream of updates from your friends--all without you tapping a Facebook app icon or even swiping to unlock. From the home screen you can even comment and like the updates that flow across your display.

Messaging is also a major player here, with a new feature called Chat Heads. Rather than messages popping up and getting in your way, the profile image of the person messaging you floats to the top right of the display, allowing you to continue doing what you were doing, and address them when you want to.

Facebook Home will be available beginning on April 12 in the Google Play store, and you can get it on the HTC One, HTC One X, Samsung Galaxy S III, Galaxy S 4, and Galaxy Note II at first. Additionally, you can buy the new HTC First, which ships with Facebook Home as the default launcher. Facebook says that Home will see monthly updates, bringing new features as time goes on.