Feature phones will continue to exist as a cheaper alternative to expensive phones, but they just become more 'featured'. Don't forget that they have a much smaller screen, and chrome/safari may not want to accomodate the huge diversity of screen sizes and platforms out there. Opera has been doing it.
In the software game, there is no point planning 10 years ahead. 10 years ago, software was very different from now. But 5 years from now, there will still be feature phones and africa/se asia will continue to be growing.
Facebook would have purchased the basic platforms it needs for future software, and would be in a good position for whatever comes next.
I'm not sure I follow the logic. Why will they have "feature phones" and not, say, cheap Android phones (maybe a cost-reduced Galaxy S, for example)? Obviously developing markets will always desire cheaper devices. But that's not the same thing as saying they don't desire the standard platforms. They just haven't had the choice yet, because the platforms have been evolving too quickly and aren't workable on the hardware available.
Because feature phones are like mechanical wrist watches. They just don't go away.
Personally I'm using only a dumb phone, I think it's going to be at least my daily phone forever.
Longer battery life. More durable screen. Mature technology. Cheaper. Lighter and smaller. Faster to call people. You can replace keys if they go broke. Doesn't look nasty if you have greasy fingers. And the bottom line: I don't need anything but sms and calling.
OK, but that's a digression. Clearly some people like feature phones, but most prefer platforms. The discussion was about Opera being able to preserve their market share in a market where people increasingly have access to Android and iOS.
Mechanical wrist watches still exist in appreciable numbers because they've become fashion items. Feature phones aren't fashion items.
I'm sorry, but in a few years you won't be able to buy a feature phone. Smartphones will get better battery life, screens etc as costs come down (and the third world gets richer) and technology marches on.
I use opera mini on dual core 1.2Ghz Android with 4" screen because pages load faster on edge mini than on uncompressed 3g. and mini is very good at saving battery for you, which is very important on Android, unless you have a pocket nuclear reactor. and don't forget crappy internet speeds on AT&T because there are too many iphones. so much for real life usability of expensive smartphone in a developed country.
In the software game, there is no point planning 10 years ahead. 10 years ago, software was very different from now. But 5 years from now, there will still be feature phones and africa/se asia will continue to be growing.
Facebook would have purchased the basic platforms it needs for future software, and would be in a good position for whatever comes next.