Facebook Lite surfaces


12 Aug 2009

A new pared down offering called Facebook Lite has been surfacing on the web, showing a streamlined version of the social networking site.

Facebook Lite, which vaguely resembles Twitter in its realtime stream of updates with the extras removed, is designed to run Facebook’s functionality but work well as an alternative to the main site for mobile platforms and for users accessing from a low bandwidth.

The new service, which is currently being tested in India, will also have realtime search built in, allowing users to find anything by keyword as it happens on Facebook, much like the realtime search function on microblogging site Twitter.

According to BBC News in a statement the social networking site said: “Facebook Lite is a fast-loading, simplified version of Facebook that enables people to make comments, accept friend requests, write on people’s walls, and look at photos and status updates.”

“We are currently testing Facebook Lite in countries where we are seeing lots of new users coming to Facebook for the first time and are looking to start off with a more simple experience.”