Here we go again!  Facebook has called on HTC to help an official phone for the social networking behemoth, according to AllThingsD.  After also considering Samsung for the job, the ambitious mobile project carries the codename of Buffy, based on the titular Vampire Slayer.  Very little is known about the phone at this point, however we could be 12-to 18 months away from seeing the actual device.  As one would expect, the handset is expected to run a modified version of Android with deep Facebook integration.

This isn’t the first time that these two players have collaborated on an Android-based smartphone, having previously released the HTC Status for AT&T.  The phone has not been a runaway success however it’s hard to tell where the blame should be placed.  A number of factors play into its lukewarm reception including the form factor, carrier, and its introductory price.  Maybe there wasn’t enough Facebook in the handset?

Our mobile strategy is simple: We think every mobile device is better if it is deeply social. We’re working across the entire mobile industry; with operators, hardware manufacturers, OS providers, and application developers to bring powerful social experiences to more people around the world. – A spokesman for Facebook, speaking to AllThingsD