If TechCrunch has it right—and historically, they usually do—Facebook will be following Google’s lead and creating their own operating system for what will become a branded cell phone. The story suggests that by building a proprietary operating system, a Facebook phone will be able to deeply integrate users’ contacts list while maintaining total control over all that proprietary data.

Odd as it first sounds, this idea makes good sense, particularly as we move more of our computing to mobile web apps via smartphones and tablets.  A phone would provide Facebook with an entry on par with Apple and Google, and not surprisingly, they have issued a denial.  Still, the story sounds compelling; TechCrunch actually names two employees they say are leading the project.

Further, CNet claims confirmation that Facebook has reached out to hardware manufacturers and carriers. So next year, we might all be able to reach out and…poke someone.

That still sounds wrong.

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By Dennis Ryan, CCO, Element 79

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