Facebook fans who don't have data plans or smartphones may be able to access Facebook soon. Gemalto has a solution - Facebook for SIM that allows users to access Facebook regardless of their handset type. The Facebook application is compatible with 100% of SIM-compliant mobile phones.
Facebook for SIM is embedded in the SIM, and it uses SMS technology. As a
result, it works for prepaid as well as for pay-monthly customers.
Following an initial limited, free-trial period, Facebook for SIM will then be offered on a paid subscription basis.
The service offers access to Facebook features, such as friend requests, status updates,
wall posts or messages. It also offers unique functions. People can
sign up for this service and log in directly from the SIM application.
Interactive Facebook messages pop up on the phone's screen, so people can
always share up-to-the-minute posts and events. Users can also
automatically search their SIM phonebook for other friends and send them
requests.
Consumers won't get to jump on the free Facebook bandwagon yet. The service is geared toward operators.
"Facebook for SIM enables operators to leverage two of their main
assets: the SMS to communicate with the web application and the SIM for
application distribution to the masses," added Philippe Vallée, Executive Vice President, Gemalto. "Over
200 million people already use Facebook on handsets and those are twice
as active as non-mobile users . By providing anytime, anywhere
availability to the social network, Gemalto delivers on the growing
demand for mobile connectivity all over the world."
HTC at Mobile World Congress announced two Facebook-centric Android smartphones with a dedicated Facebook button, the HTC ChaCha and HTC Salsa.