Facebook (NASDAQ: FB ) is working with Chinese semiconductor company Spreadtrum (NASDAQ: SPRD ) to embed the Facebook app directly into smartphone chips, according to a Spreadtrum news release.
Spreadtrum produces a so-called turnkey smartphone platform that puts together the baseband/apps processor, protocol software, and operating system into a package which handset makers can then assemble into an inexpensive smartphone.
Facebook wants its app to be right in front of buyers switching from feature phones to smartphones in markets such as Latin America, Southeast Asia, Africa, and India.
"Working with Spreadtrum will extend Facebook's reach in emerging markets, leveraging the rapid shift from feature phones to smartphones that is now taking place globally," said Vaughan Smith, vice president of Mobile Partnerships and Corporate Development at Facebook, in the Spreadtrum release.
The operating system used in the Spreadtrum chips will be Google's Android OS.
RSS Headlines
Fool UK
Comments from our Foolish Readers
Help us keep this a respectfully Foolish area! This is a place for our readers to discuss, debate, and learn more about the Foolish investing topic you read about above. Help us keep it clean and safe. If you believe a comment is abusive or otherwise violates our Fool's Rules, please report it via the
Report this Comment icon found on every comment.
Be the first one to comment on this article.