Facebook (NASDAQ: FB) is holding a mysterious event next week. The firm will not say what it plans to show attendees, but many are speculating that it will be a smartphone or a new feature added to the site.

Mark Zuckerberg, the social network’s famed co-founder and CEO, has previously stated that brand-specific hardware is a terrible idea. Regardless, the tech industry is still buzzing over rumors of the possibility that the firm could change its mind.

After all, Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) co-founder Steve Jobs famously said that seven-inch tablets were also a bad idea. The Mac maker changed its mind last year and released the iPad Mini, a small tablet that has already been purchased by millions of consumers.

However, anyone can guess that Facebook is building a phone now that the other major tech companies including Amazon are expected to do the same. Even Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) (a software company) teamed up with Asus, LG and Samsung to build the Nexus brand of tablets and smartphones. It formed similar partnerships to build the Chromebook.

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4 possibilities for new Facebook products (MarketWatch)

Facebook shares hit 6-month high; top designer Aaron Sittig quits (Los Angeles Times)

Facebook invites media to "come and see what we're building" (NDTV)

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