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Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP/Press Association Images

Facebook unveils Android software suite

The software will be available for download from 12 April.

FACEBOOK HAS UNVEILED a new mobile software suite which makes the social network the “home” of Android smartphones.

Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said the new software would make Facebook the home screen of Android phones, and allow the devices to be “designed around people and not apps.”

“We’re not building a phone and we’re not building an operating system, but we are building something that’s a lot deeper than an app,” Zuckerberg told a gathering at the company’s headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Facebook called the new software “a new way to turn your Android phone into a great, living, social phone.”

Home is a completely new experience that lets you see the world through people, not apps.

The software, which allows users to see Facebook first when they turn on their phones, will be available for download starting April 12, Zuckerberg said. Another version for tablets is in the works.

Home is also being made available through Taiwan-based electronics firm HTC, which will launch its Facebook home-screen smartphone called HTC First, to be available through US carrier AT&T.

Zuckerberg demonstrated how a user would start with Facebook on the home screen and be able to navigate and switch back and forth between apps, and simultaneously send and receive messages through “chat heads” which are overlaid on the screen.

“I think this is a really big deal for Facebook,” said Peter Corbett of the research firm iStrategyLabs.

We’ve actually seen Facebook call themselves a mobile company recently and if you look at their analytics, more than half of their users are accessing Facebook through mobile. Now that they have what will essentially be a native branch of the Android operating system that they control and build upon, this is the future of Facebook.

Corbett added that “Apple should be worried to a certain extent” because Facebook will “put this in front of millions and millions of the world’s youth who may decide ‘I want a Facebook phone instead of an iPhone.’”

- © AFP, 2013

Read: Want to see Mark Zuckerberg’s first website? Of course you do>

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    Mute Deirdre Forde
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    Nov 8th 2011, 1:36 PM

    I’m by no means a fan of the man, I abhor much of what he stands for, but he’s right that if you disagree with him, you need to engage in debate. He is an elected MEP! Exposing him is the only way his message will be broken down.

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    Mute Deirdre Forde
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    Nov 8th 2011, 2:23 PM

    Yes, this is an extreme case (ie BNP) but the stifling of open debate on certain issues doesn’t sit well with me.

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Nov 8th 2011, 2:38 PM

    Agree but it is pleasurable to notice the medicine maker taste his own medicine.

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    Mute Deirdre Forde
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    Nov 8th 2011, 3:13 PM

    Not when he uses it as an opportunity to appear the more reasoned and diplomatic side. What he stands for is exclusion and by excluding him, his opponents give him a rather large stick to hit them with.

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    Mute Eddie Barrett
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    Nov 8th 2011, 1:03 PM

    I would have thought that he, more then most, would know what a Fascist is – if he looked at himself in the mirror , he would be staring at one !

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    Mute Eddie Barrett
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    Nov 8th 2011, 3:12 PM

    Have any of the Thumb Downers even taken the time to read up on what Mr Griffin and his Party – The British National Party stand for ?
    He and his Party represent modern day Naziism .
    He represents everything that is absolutely gross and dangerous in modern society in my opinion.

    45
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    Mute BJ
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    Nov 8th 2011, 4:21 PM

    That’s right Eddie! Let’s show these fascists that democratic society won’t tolerate their nonsense! Let’s deny them their right to free-speech! Even better, we’ll threaten violent protest if any DOES plan to provide them with a platform!

    (slow clap)

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    Mute Donal McCarthy
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    Nov 8th 2011, 4:39 PM

    Eddie, as repugnant as most of Mr Griffen’s view are, I’m pretty sure he isn’t advocating throwing anyone into the gas chambers.

    Not letting people like him speak lends weight to the idea that there might be something in what he says.

    We have laws against incitement to hatred, that ought to be enough censorship.

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Nov 8th 2011, 5:24 PM

    @Donal. I’m sure he wouldn’t advocate that at a Trinity debate. But if you read thru any if the aid to Africa or Turkish earthquake threads here it’s pretty scary how mean some can be when purse strings are stretched.

    Stopping him debating at Trinity was PC gone mad but so is all this a lot of the PC free speech thing.

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    Mute Patrick Doyle
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    Nov 8th 2011, 3:04 PM

    This man is an eleceted European politician and is perfectly entitled to speak here. If you dont like what he was has to say then dont listen to him!! Do these fools protesting not understand the meaning of Free Speech?

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    Mute Eddie Barrett
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    Nov 8th 2011, 3:18 PM

    Of course the man and his Party are entitled to Freedom of Speech , in the same way that his opponents have the same equal right of protest !

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    Mute Patrick Doyle
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    Nov 8th 2011, 4:39 PM

    Protest to the point where his opponents seek to vetoe his right to speak at trinity college?? Why try and censor him? As i said he’s an elected politican and he can say whatever he damn well likes. You dont have to attend the lecture nor do you have to agree so what right have you to try and block his participation?

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    Mute Liam McDermott
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    Nov 8th 2011, 2:15 PM

    The whole point of freedom of speech is to protect the unsavoury views held by people like Mr. Griffin. If someone comes to you and says the world is flat then it is important to question and think, why that person is wrong? Don’t take solace in the false security that consensus provides.

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    Mute Sean O'Keeffe
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    Nov 8th 2011, 1:06 PM
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    Mute Sean O'Keeffe
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    Nov 8th 2011, 2:14 PM

    I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.
    Voltaire

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Nov 8th 2011, 2:47 PM

    Most immigrants to Britain were ex-colonial subjects who fled the countries that Britain abandoned when their game was up. I’ve no interest in listening to whining from a British parliamentarian about immigration Voltaire or not! If The Philosophy Society of TCD want to listen to this man as a exercise in social discourse, or whatever? Let them at it! But if he gets on a soapbox on my street I’ll set the dog on him!

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Nov 8th 2011, 4:17 PM

    Funny that true speech gets red thumbs from those looking for free speech.

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Nov 8th 2011, 5:40 PM

    Bang on Reada! Those people should abstain from red thumbing!

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Nov 8th 2011, 6:07 PM

    O how my heart yearns for a perfect world free of acrimony…

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Nov 8th 2011, 6:36 PM

    Yeah! Soon we’ll be told to stay quiet for telling a drunk on the luas to shut up.

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    Mute LesEnfant Perdu
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    Nov 9th 2011, 1:48 AM

    Whoa guys – get a room!

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Nov 9th 2011, 2:52 AM

    @LesEnfant Perdu. I knew that was coming. Am I psychic or what? Note to self. Only engage in conversation if you’re having a good ole barney. Lol

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Nov 9th 2011, 9:49 AM

    Ha! The BNP are renound for bringing people from all walks of life together!

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    Mute Donncha Foley
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    Nov 8th 2011, 3:35 PM

    Is it ok for someone else to give the same views as him at the debate or is the issue with him as a person? At least he is willing to listen to others arguments in a debate… Don’t agree with his views for a split second, but many do. we need to talk about it!

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    Mute Michael Cuthbert
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    Nov 8th 2011, 6:39 PM

    Yep. He should be free to speak. And Trinity should be free to invite him. You may be on thin ice, though, in suggesting that Nick Griffin is willing to listen to others. For him, it’s just another platform from which to spew his rhetoric. Having witnessed fascism in action in England for decades, I am in no doubt that listening is not something far right politicians and activists value. Given the activities of the far right, from the National Front, to Column 88 to the BNP and English Defence League, it’s seems odd that Nick Griffin should have a problem with “a form of left-wing fascism”…

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    Mute Leslie Alan Rock
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    Nov 8th 2011, 3:43 PM

    I have to agree with some on here. The man is entitled to say what he wants to say. Do we have to hear it? That is a matter of personal choice. So, do we ban people like him from speaking in public? My answer to that is no. If we do that, we allow this guy an opportunity to take his cause and his reasoning underground. That in turn will lead to us being as bad and as negative as him. The issues he raises weather we like them or not..and i DON’T, will fester and manipulate themselves into other areas of our society. Allow this man to speak, but we must challenge him and make him look the bigoted person he is.

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    Mute Heather Thompson
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    Nov 8th 2011, 2:06 PM

    sure, many of Hitler’s policies were left wing too. That doesn’t make them non-fascist. It’s that deceptive stance of “i’m centrist! I am!” which has allowed extremely xenophobic and right-wing policies to take over in the United States. It’s very ironic that he has accused the protestors of using fascist methods when clearly he wishes the police had used some fairly fascist methods to ‘“come down” on people who disrupt events’

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    Mute Joseph Gibson
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    Nov 8th 2011, 4:40 PM

    …So, I’m curious, If you put yourself in his position and with your own views. What would you have said about not being able to voice those opinions? Or you wouldn’t care? If you wouldn’t care about voicing you’re opinions, then it would be obvious that, you would not be suited for such a position to represent those that elected you. Also, Hitler is the past, and so is Nazi Germany. However, If we want to start using such terms, it would seem the vision of Hitler and his henchmen, is current day EU. Which the Germans, a long with the French control.

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    Mute Michael Graham
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    Nov 9th 2011, 9:44 AM

    “Have any of the Thumb Downers even taken the time to read up on what Mr Griffin and his Party – The British National Party stand for?” Wonders Eddie Barrett.

    So you’ve “read up” on what the BNP stands for, eh, Eddie? So would you be happy to have the fact that the BNP stood out strongly against the war in Iraq before it happened made known here? Isn’t it odd how the happy-clappy, left-wing types who would put the foreigner first and the indigenous British last in in the UK, are entirely happy to go slaughter the same foreigner in his own back yard?

    I have a question for the sneerers. Is 600,000 foreigners in, 200,000 native Brits out every year an acceptable statistic? If you think it is then you have admit theat you are definitely on the side the side of those who do not give a damn about the wishes of the British people. Ever since the 1950s, in opinion poll after opinion poll, we have made it known that we wanted ALL immigration to stop. There is something deeply unpleasant in the nature of those who would force a society that works to tolerate the entry of millions of alien peoples into its midst. All the while cursing those who would put a stop to what the generality of the population DO NOT WANT.

    You know, last year, around 250,000 foreigners were arrested in Britain. This is the lovely, fluffy “diversity” and “difference” at the sharp end. This is the true “gross and dangerous” face of the Multicult. Cohesion? How often do characters like Eddie Barrett use that word. Hey, Eddie! Would you put your mother in the same room as the 250,000, safe in the knowledge that they would cohere with her in an entirely positive way?

    The crimes committed by the foreigner in Britain since the globalists began doing their damnedest to destroy our world don’t count, do they? They are certainly not to be spoken of in polite, PC circles. If we don’t mention the murders, rapes, gang rapes, paedophilia, drugs, prostitution, theft and routine intimidation, it isn’t really happening, is it?

    What Eddie and co. don’t like is the bloke who dares to point to the herd of elephants in the room. The truth-teller. He’s the greatest enemy of those who would spin and lie away the world our ancestors willed to us.

    I’m one of those who would put those who made the Nation first in the land that they made. Which is why I, along with most Nationalists, would never have invaded Iraq. I’ll tell you this, Eddie: if you were to ask the Iraqi people whose philosophy they would rather have had shaping the future back in 2003, very few would have chosen that of Tony Blair and co. On the other hand, that of British Nationalism would, I’m sure, have suited them very well.

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    Mute Liam McDermott
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    Nov 9th 2011, 11:06 AM

    It is amazing how someone can say so much and be so wrong……

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    Mute Joseph Gibson
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    Nov 13th 2011, 6:12 PM

    Sorry Liam, but you seem to ignore most of it.

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    Mute Ganjdalf Sativa
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    Nov 8th 2011, 2:11 PM

    Oh man that is funny. sure they are “Fascist’s” themselves. And anyone that supports “the new” shale gas industry ( which it isn’t watch Gas land people it’s really scary stuff ) should not be allowed to talk.

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    Mute Donncha Foley
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    Nov 8th 2011, 3:29 PM

    Tangent of the year award!

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    Mute Jeroen Bos
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    Nov 8th 2011, 6:16 PM

    My question is this: If we allowed the BNP to talk and engage in discussion with them, would they do the same to us if, god forbid, they would come to power?

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    Mute David Higgins
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    Nov 8th 2011, 6:41 PM

    My guess is they wouldn’t, but that’s exactly why we should let them speak. Otherwise we’d just be sinking to their level!

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    Mute John Murphy
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    Nov 8th 2011, 8:59 PM

    I’m all for free speech. It’s the unavoidable listening to that I’ve a problem with.

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    Mute Waffler
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    Nov 9th 2011, 1:12 AM

    if sinn fein had been allowed speak to the media during the troubles it probably would have saved hundreds of lives

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    Mute Joseph Gibson
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    Nov 8th 2011, 4:46 PM

    Leslie Alan Rock says “So, do we ban people like him from speaking in public?”

    If that were to happen, it would seem those who are doing so are the real fascists. However, that will be the time when the pen is put down for the sword. Unfortunately, that time is coming. Those who do think that this Country owes the World, and that the British are nothing but slaves, may be strong with the pen but weak with the sword.

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    Mute des greene
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    Nov 9th 2011, 1:12 AM

    I abhor the BNP and all it stands for but the right to freedom of expression is paramount in a democracy. This character should have been allowed speak!

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    Mute Aoife Mullen
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    Nov 8th 2011, 2:59 PM

    Great to see DCUfm in the news again after the Bertie interview a few weeks ago!

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    Mute Michael Graham
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    Nov 10th 2011, 8:11 AM

    “It is amazing how someone can say so much and be so wrong.”

    Hi, Liam. Perhaps you could point out some of the wrongness?

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    Mute Waffler
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    Nov 9th 2011, 8:59 PM

    guess colonizing half the world wasnt such a good idea after all

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    Mute John Minihan
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    Sep 30th 2012, 2:58 PM

    Not an acceptable comment from a so called public representative. Bigotry, sectarianism, or simply inciting others is no way to deal with those holding extremist views on either side. All he proved was no one has a monopoly on hatred.

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    Mute Seamus Conwell
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    Nov 10th 2011, 1:54 PM

    Hi, the full interview can be heard on http://www.dcufm.com/.

    Enjoy

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