Facebook event mystery: Site redesign, Skype tie-up, mobile device or iPad app?

Rumours are circulating the web surrounding Facebook’s latest venture, following the announcement of an invite-only event being hosted by the social network, taking place later today in California.


Facebook is hosting the invite-only event on Wednesday morning at its headquarters in Palo Alto, and nobody has any idea what’s the occasion.
“Please join us for an invite-only event at Facebook HQ,” according to the e-mailed invitation, which went out Monday evening.
Although there is much speculation on the web, no-one knows for certain what the online giant is set to announce.
Here’s a rundown of the top rumours on the web:
Site Redesign
The most popular theory is that Facebook is set to announce a major site redesign. As Twitter has done over the past few weeks, evidence already exists to support this theory, as Facebook Chat already got a makeover on Tuesday.
Skype deal
The company is also rumoured to be on the verge of striking a deal with Internet telephony firm Skype, which could further bolster its video chat services.
Places revamp
There is also speculation a site redesign would see the social network more focused around its recently released ‘Places’ service, a location based tool that lets users alert their friends to their geographical location, as well as giving advertisers a new demographic category to target their ads.
Mobile device
Less likely guesses about Facebook’s event on Wednesday include a possible phone announcement (although this has been vehemently denied by CEO Mark Zuckerberg).
Event pages update
Meanwhile, several publications have suggested that the use of the word “event” in the invite means that Facebook Events, the company’s invitation service, is getting an upgrade.
iPad app
Another rumour is that Facebook might be unveiling an official iPad app or a broader launch of its Credits service.