KARYNE: Hey, I�m Karyne Levy
JASON: And I'm Jason Parker, this week's guest host!
KARYNE: Welcome to Rumor Has It! The show where we round up the
week's biggest tech rumors.
JASON: And vote on what sounds legit, and what seems like it just won't
happen.
KARYNE: And remember: you can vote on all the rumors, too! Keep your
eye out for the poll in the interactive player, if you're watching on CNET.
KARYNE: First up, a rumor that just won't die might finally be put out to
pasture. Last week, Facebook sent a rather cryptic invite that said "Come
See Our New Home on Android" on April 4.
According to TechCrunch, sources familiar with the matter have said that
the social network plans to debut an HTC smartphone that runs a modified
version of Android's OS and uses built-in native Facebook functionality.
JASON: I thought we already had a Facebook phone.
KARYNE: Right, the HTC ChaCha and Salsa, which have little Facebook
buttons that take you directly to the Facebook app.
But this phone will take it a step further
by better integrating Facebook's messaging, photos, and contacts features.
JASON: I�m not sure I want all that -- sounds horrifying.
KARYNE: It does, but then it also sounds awesome, so I've probably been
brainwashed.
JASON: Congratulations, you�re a Facebook zombie!
KARYNE: Next up, another phone rumor. Sorta. Longtime Microsoft
employee Charlie Kindel joined Amazon to work on a "secret" project,
according to his LinkedIn profile.
One of his roles at Microsoft was general manager in charge of rallying
independent software developers to its Windows Phone platform. His hire
at Amazon could stoke more speculation that the online retail giant is
readying a mobile phone of its own.
JASON: Or maybe they just hired him because his name is Kindel. You
know, like Kindle?
KARYNE: Har har. Anyway, according to his LinkedIn profile, he's "building
a new team going after a totally new area for Amazon." Sounds like that
fabled Amazon phone to me. Ugh.
JASON: Next up, a new report from Pocket Gamer says Apple is once again
said to be planning the release of a game controller.
According to the report, Apple booked rooms using a pseudonym to hold
secret meetings at the Game Developer Conference last week and that the
device could be unveiled sometime next month.
KARYNE: Don�t most iOS games already have touch-screen controls?
JASON: Yeah, but you have to admit there�s no substitute for the tactile
experience of a controller -- especially on First Person Shooters, or even
sports and dungeon crawler type games.
KARYNE: Yeah, but are you going to be holding a controller with your iPad
propped up in front of you? Seems like more trouble than it�s worth.
JASON: Agreed, but I guess I�m hoping for an Apple TV tie in where games
can be played anywhere.
KARYNE: Or maybe it would mimic the Razer Edge, allowing you to dock
the iPad and have physical buttons and shoulder triggers?
JASON: That might be cool.
KARYNE: What do you guys think? Is Apple planning game controller
hardware? What would you like to see? Don't forget to vote, leave us a
comment, and we'll check in with the CNET Council...
JASON: And the Council's verdict is... an almost unanimous NO. 4 out of 5
editors don't think Apple is developing a controller; one editor says yes,
but says it's debatable about whether they'll actually release it.
KARYNE: That�s our show everyone, share your rumors at
rumorhasit@cnet.com or call us at 1-800-750-CNET. And tweet us! And
thanks to Jason, our guest host this week!
JASON: Tune in next week for more tech rumors.
