If you’re keen on the concept of social networking but are intimidated by the prospect of tackling a plethora of related features, then perhaps market leader Facebook is about to make the whole process that little easier for your easily befuddled brain.
Facebook Lite on its way for those wanting speed not features. Image: dan taylor/Flickr.
Cheap quips aside, TechCrunch has revealed that network founder Mark Zuckerberg and the Facebook team are currently road testing a simplified version of the hugely popular online service that will sacrifice certain functions in favour of improved load times and easier interaction.
Reportedly the upcoming ‘Facebook Lite’ will walk a similar line as the current mobile iteration of the service and will enable users to accept/decline friend requests, compose and post comments, write on the Walls of listed friends, and post and view online photos.
According to TechCrunch, the Lite design of Facebook will display a single column of Wall posts and will be headed by three buttons that allow users to write messages, post photos, and post video content. Separate links will also provide access to categories such as Friends, Wall, Info, Photos and Video.
Apparently, the first whiff of rumour regarding Facebook Lite wafted from the Internet on Tuesday of this week when the network ‘mistakenly’ issued road test invitations to a bunch of its regular users. Hmm, smells like a PR stunt to us.
“This evening, the test [of Facebook Lite] was temporarily exposed to a larger set of users by mistake,” wrote the network in answer to a TechCrunch approach.
“We have not opened up access to lite.facebook.com to all users at this time,” it added. “People who are not part of the test and are trying to access “Lite” will be directed to Facebook.com as usual.”
While Facebook is currently playing its Lite cards close to its chest, it is believed the scaled-down service is being prepared for Internet users around the world who do not currently enjoy the benefits of a high-speed broadband connection.
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