Live video chat: Unboxing HTC First with Facebook Home

Facebook’s first phone--really an HTC First smartphone with the social network’s home screen--hits the stores on Friday but we just got one in the mail for a sneak peek.

When Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the Facebook Home interface for smartphones last week, the founder of the social network touted how it would change users’ experience.

We’ll be unboxing the HTC First, which is the first smartphone to feature Facebook Home, live via Spreecast at noon. Join the Times’ Michelle Maltais and me at noon as we check out this new interface for Android devices.

LIVE UNBOXING: Join us at noon PDT as we check out the HTC First

So exactly what is Facebook Home? When users turn on the HTF First, they’ll see a screen with a Facebook status update and a photo posted by users’ friends. Users can then “like” or comment on the post right from the screen, which is being called the “Cover Feed.” Users can swipe the screen to move to other status updates and photos.

“Chat Heads” is another Facebook Home feature that lets users chat with their friends through Facebook while they use other apps on their smartphones.

The device made by the Taiwanese cellphone maker HTC goes on sale Friday from AT&T; for $99 with a two-year contract.

Facebook Home can also be downloaded from Google Play by Android users who own an HTC One X, HTC One X+, Samsung Galaxy S III, Samsung Galaxy Note II or the upcoming HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S 4.

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