Facebook Urges Staff to Switch From iPhone to Android

News
By Zak Islam
published

Social network looking to improve Facebook experience on the smartphone platform that has the largest market share.


Facebook is plastering posters around its headquarters to encourage employees to get rid of their iPhones in favor of Google-powered Android smartphones. According to a TechCrunch report, posters encouraging employees to "switch today" have started to appear on the walls at the social network giant's Mountain View, California offices.

Facebook had previously offered its employees iPhones, but the aim in the switch to Google's mobile platform is apparently due to improved functionality for the Facebook app. The application present on Apple's smartphone has been criticized for being slow, draining battery life and not offering useful features. Thus, employees are being encouraged to use their own devices in order to improve the Facebook experience on the smartphone OS with the largest marketshare (Android currently dominates the market with a 72.4 percent share, while iOS decreased its hold on the market with a 13.9 share).


One of the posters in question features a graph depicting IDC data that forecasts Android will control around twice as much of the smartphone market as the iPhone come 2016. The posters encouraged employees to contact Facebook's help desk to have their device switched from iPhone to Android.

Back in August, reports emerged that said Facebook employees were being "nudged, cajoled, and even ordered to give up their iPhones for Android devices." When asked about the posters, a Facebook spokesperson stressed: "We don't encourage one device over another. We let employees choose."

During its announcement that Facebook boasts over a billion members, the company also confirmed it has over 600 million mobile users.

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Zak Islam
21 Comments Comment from the forums
  • SneakySnake
    That's because their android app sucks and they want their employee's to see that.
    Reply
  • myromance123
    You'd think they would not want to advocate a Google product, but since G+ is a direct competitor with FB they can't stand to lose face. Moving into Google's ground fiercely, so that they can keep their own ground. Interesting. Still hate FB though.
    Reply
  • dauntekong
    Their line chart reminds me of something.... oh yeah the rate of Apple Stock Market falling LMAO!!!
    Reply
  • buddy78
    I have a Iphone and will not replace it with an Android phone. I admit it the Samsung S3 is very impressive, along with a host of other android phones. If I was starting fresh I would definitely consider a Andriod based phone, but there are 3 reasons why I am not going to switch which would apply for anyone else that already has an Iphone

    1. The Samsung S3 or Nexus 4 are not a night and day difference from the Iphone. All have an Easy to use Interface, a solid camera, tons of apps, and great coverage.

    2. I have an Ipad, AppleTV, and a Macbook air that work Seamlessly together with the Iphone. I do not know of any Andriod based system that Unifies all devices like Apple does. Even if I got the S3, Galaxy Tab, HTPC, and a new laptop. I would have to spend many hours getting them to work even a fraction as well. With Apple I just have to sign in to iCloud.

    3. Apps, Videos, and Music. Over the last 4 years I have had a Iphone I have purchased several Hundred Dollars worth of these items. If I switch, I have to start over again.
    Reply
  • senshu
    senshuUm, buddy78: I don't think they're asking you to switch. Unless you're a facebook employee, in which case why not tell your manager what you've shared with us here?
    Reply
  • senshu
    Um, buddy 78: I don't think they're asking you to switch. Unless you're a facebook employee, in which case why not tell your manager what you've shared with us here? :)
    Reply
  • senshu
    Bloody hell, sorry for the double post. :(
    Reply
  • jimmyjohnz
    myromance123You'd think they would not want to advocate a Google product, but since G+ is a direct competitor with FB they can't stand to lose face. Moving into Google's ground fiercely, so that they can keep their own ground. Interesting. Still hate FB though.
    They're doing this because the mobile market is quickly becoming the highest consumer of internet bandwidth, the majority of which is taking place on Android devices. And let's face it, Android Facebook sucks. Crashes all the time, pretty poor performance. If Facebook doesn't want to start losing market share to the smoother Android experience that is Google+, they'll have to improve their single app. It's really a no brainer on their part. It's not like they can spontaneously whip up their own competing mobile OS to take on Android directly, so they might as well compete with G+ on Android. Same as Google still making apps to put on iOS.
    Reply
  • p4nz3rm4d
    dauntekongTheir line chart reminds me of something.... oh yeah the rate of Apple Stock Market falling LMAO!!!
    clearly you havnt seen it recently...
    Reply
  • "That's because their android app sucks and they want their employee's to see that."

    So true. The FB app hangs all the time, double posts, opens to random pages, etc. It's really bad and if FB can get it sorted I might be arsed to actually use it (instead of just opening the page in a browser).
    Reply