Facebook's Stupid Phone Idea

Nick Bilton reporting for the New York Times:

The company has already hired more than half a dozen former Apple software and hardware engineers who worked on the iPhone, and one who worked on the iPad, the employees and those briefed on the plans said.

And why it's a bad idea...

Henry Blodget for Business Insider:

Facebook knows absolutely nothing about making, selling, or supporting hardware. Really--nothing. Yes, Facebook could use its billions to buy RIM or Nokia, and then it would know something about hardware. But RIM and Nokia are deeply troubled companies that are already cratering. Can you imagine how difficult it would be to buy, integrate, and FIX RIM or Nokia? (Google's about to give us a case study in how difficult it is with Motorola).

Facebook, poaching Apple's employee will not make you the number 1 technology company, and neither will it make you the next Apple. As Henry highlighted, sure, everyone wants to be the next Apple - Amazon, Google and everyone else, but there's only one Apple right now and it is by far the best Apple. Facebook's dreams of becoming the next Apple are disillusioned and Facebook should,really, just stick to mobile apps. They make money and the users are happy. Think about it. If the majority of the Facebook users now are already unwillingly to use Facebook if Facebook starts charging money for it, what are the odds they're going to buy a Facebook phone?

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