Facebook Lite Hits Google Play
Facebook's standard mobile app uses quite a bit of data and processing power, making low-end and older phones struggle to use the social media app, if they can access it at all. With Facebook Lite, the company hopes to address this issue. In 2009, Facebook launched a simplified version of its mobile website with the same name though it was only available for one year. This new Facebook Lite app works similarly, providing an app that will load quickly, use very little cellular data, and work well in areas using 2G networks and in spotty coverage areas. The app is web-based and takes up just 252 KB while allowing users to access all the features they know from Facebook including news feed, profile editing, uploading photos, and more. The Facebook Lite app even includes the company's messaging service, without downloading the Messenger app, to lessen the Facebook footprint on devices. Early reviews have been positive with an average rating of 4.6 stars on the Google Play store at the time of writing.
This app is not available globally at this time. Instead, the Facebook Lite app has been released for a select few countries: Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. According to a Facebook spokesperson, the social network is "testing a version of Facebook for Android called Facebook Lite that is designed for people on 2G connections or in areas of limited accessibility." It is unclear if Facebook Lite will roll out to more countries at this time. Facebook also has its Internet.org app for emerging markets, though this app has been slow to roll out due to carrier and telecom industry holdups making the "Lite" app an easier option for many. Facebook has yet to officially announce the new app though it hit Google Play on January 20th.
No comments:
Post a Comment