The rumors and whispers of a Facebook phone aren't gone, although there hasn't been much news on it lately. With Samsung Electronics covering the development of the next-generation Nexus smartphone for Google, HTC have decided to take a walk down a different path.

They're currently developing a customized smartphone in cooperation with Facebook which is looking to be launched in Q3 of this year at the earliest, as always, according to industry sources. HTC had previously joined forces with Google to launch Google's first own-branded smartphone, Nexus One. This means they're no stranger to cooperation with a large company.

Since Samsung have become the top Android vendor, Google will continue to tap Samsung to develop their next-generation Nexus models. This lets Google use Samsung's innovation ability with regard to the Android platform, and its ability to control the supply of key components, says DigiTimes' sources.

The new HTC Facebook phone would have a platform exclusive to Facebook which would enable and integrate all functions available on Facebook. HTC have previous launched two Facebook-enabled smartphones, the Salsa and Chacha.