12 August 2009 11:36 GMT / By Duncan Geere
A number of users have been reporting being asked to beta-test "Facebook Lite", a service which - according to the blurb sent to testers - is a "faster, simpler version of Facebook".The results, according to screenshots, match that prediction with some saying that it looks like a simplified version of FriendFeed, or further Twitter-ification of the news feed. However, Facebook has responded and said that its rollout to so many people was an accident.
The social networking giant has told TechCrunch that the reality is nothing to do with recently acquired FriendFeed or competitor Twitter - instead it's designed for third world countries that have slow, expensive broadband connections and can't cope with the full Facebook site.
It's currently testing in India, and the plan is to roll it out to Russia and China, too. The idea is that the site retains most of the the core functionality of the full product, but has considerably reduced load times. Now that the company has saturated most of the Western world, it's looking further afield.
We'll keep you informed of the progress of Facebook Lite as it rolls out.
Via: techcrunch.com
Software, Online, Facebook, Friendfeed, Twitter, Social networking


Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich: When is it coming to my phone? Updates aplenty
HTC PlayStation certification devices coming 2012, time to get your Crash Bandicoot skills up to scratch EXCLUSIVE: Game on
Samsung not worried by Apple iTV threat EXCLUSIVE: AV boss not concerned
Mattel Hover Board - Back to the Future becomes reality Great Scott!
Samsung O table is for the kitchen of the future Flexible hob
More leaked iPad 3 parts help form bigger picture - including Sharp Retina display iPad 3, in kit form
Forget the iPad 3, we want a MacPad Brilliant concept design
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) pictures and hands-on Up close with the ICS tablet
Sony bringing Google TV to Europe in 2012 Excited yet?
New Apple TV leaked in software update? iOS 5.1 says so
Best iPad apps to turn your tablet into a TV Goggleslate
BlackBerry OS 10 images leaked Widgets galore
Android 5.0 Jelly Bean coming summer 2012, according to sources To combat Windows 8
Fujifilm X-S1 The shining star of the superzoom world?
OS X Mountain Lion detailed as dev build goes live and we go hands-on iOS-fication of the desktop now in full swing
Sony PlayStation Vita review
Curriculum Vita
Nokia Lumia 710 review
WP7 on a budget
HTC Explorer review
A phone for people who make calls
GoPro HD Hero2 review
Amazing things come in small packages
BlackBerry Torch 9810 review
Middle of the road
Sony Alpha A65 review
Affordable SLT. But is it a DSLR-beater?
BlackBerry Bold 9790 review
To boldly go where we've already been before
Fiat 500 TwinAir Plus review
Two-cylinder beast
BlackBerry Porsche Design P'9981 review
For the fast lane
Motorola MotoACTV review
Just add exercise
Motorola Xoom 2 Media Edition review
Mini Xoom
Sennheiser IE80 review
Tune that bass
Kingston Wi-Drive review
Expand your storage
Huawei Ideos X3 review
Cheap but imperfect
Sony Ericsson Xperia Active review
Can take abuse