Facebook app arrives on Reliance JioPhone

Reliance Jio on Tuesday announced that Facebook will be available for Reliance JioPhone users from February 14 onwards. Existing and new JioPhone users can download the Facebook app from the JioAppStore available on the smart feature phone.

The new version of the Facebook app is built specially for Jio KaiOS, a web-based operating system designed for JioPhone. This will open up Facebook for potential 50 crore feature phone users in India.

Reliance JioPhone users will be able to enjoy Facebook features such as push notifications, video, and links to external content.

"JioPhone is the world's most affordable smartphone built with transformational technology especially for Indians to migrate from a feature phone to smartphone. As promised, JioPhone will be home to the world's leading applications, starting with Facebook," Jio Director Akash Ambani said in the statement.

"We are excited about our partnership with Jio and the opportunity to provide the best possible Facebook experience for millions of people using JioPhone. Working with partners like Jio, we want to make sure everyone, everywhere has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of being connected", Facebook Vice President of Mobile Partnerships Francisco Varela said.

The app is also optimised to accommodate the cursor function on JioPhone.

Interestingly, IDC's latest report reveals that Reliance Industries beat Samsung for the top spot in feature phone market share during Q4 2017. With heavy sales of JioPhone, a total of 124 million feature phones were shipped in 2017.