Facebook rolled out a beta for Facebook Lite at the beginning of the week – a simpler, faster version of the website aimed at mobile users and those on dial-up connections
Facebook is testing out a "Lite" version of the popular social networking site, that will be aimed at mobile users and those on slower-loading dial-up internet.
The beta was pushed out to a number of users to try out earlier this week, and was described as a "faster, simpler version of Facebook" that still had "plenty of kinks to work out".
After speculation from many that like looked like a "simplified version of Twitter", Facebook came out with an official response, describing the new version as "similar to the Facebook experience you get on your mobile phones".
It continued: "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".
It also explained a mistake that made users believe they were included in the beta but saw no differences.
"The test was temporarily exposed to a larger set of users by mistake," said the spokesperson.
"We have not opened up access to lite.facebook.com to all users at this time. People who are not part of the test and are trying to access “Lite” will be directed to Facebook.com as usual".
The move no doubt has something to do with the social networking site's more recent popularity in countries outside the US and Europe, where bandwidth can be limited and broadband connections less available.
We'll keep you updated on this – be sure to let us know if you're one of the beta testers, and what you think.
Via: TechCrunch
Read the original article at stuff.tv.