Lite Facebook
Thursday, April 5, 2018
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Lite Facebook, Early today, Facebook uploaded a brand-new, lost weight version of their app dubbed Facebook Lite to the Google Play Store. Intended at low-end gadgets in emerging markets where cellular information is a little slower, we have to admit, we were plenty excited at the possibility of a 2G-friendly version of the usually puffed up Facebook app.
Not long after setup, our optimism was met cold hard reality-- this app was little bit more than a wrapper for the mobile web view (ie, it's almost similar to checking out m.facebook.com). Okay, so there are some key differences. There's no videos (like, at all) and unlike opening Facebook in your phone's web internet browser, Facebook Lite will offer you with push alerts on your Android device, useful if you're awaiting an essential message and desire to stay up to date with friends without needing to revitalize the internet browser.
The trade off? Facebook Lite-- which is advertised as less than 1MB (252KB), however in fact took up 1.16 MB after installation-- demands a fair amount of consents from your Android device, comparable to the complete fledged 114MB (after setup) regular variation of the app (just without the place data). Oh, did we discuss it's slow?
Even on WiFi, the app is sluggish to load, slow to scroll, and slow to change between News Feed, your messages, and notifications. Even with a high-end Snapdragon 801 equipped Android gadget, the "app" straight up seems like molasses. However as we discussed, you do get direct access to your messages without needing to install Facebook Messenger, so there's that.
We think Facebook really had something here and were really wishing for a quicker, lighter, less function heavy, Facebook app for those of who do not require all the frill of sticker label stores and so on. Unfortunately, Facebook Lite really simply doesn't cut it.
Facebook Lite is currently offered for all Android 2.2+ gadgets in Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or Zimbabwe by means of the Play Shop. Those living in other places who 'd still want to offer it a try, you can download it from us via the link below.
Download: Facebook Lite for Android
Lite Facebook
Not long after setup, our optimism was met cold hard reality-- this app was little bit more than a wrapper for the mobile web view (ie, it's almost similar to checking out m.facebook.com). Okay, so there are some key differences. There's no videos (like, at all) and unlike opening Facebook in your phone's web internet browser, Facebook Lite will offer you with push alerts on your Android device, useful if you're awaiting an essential message and desire to stay up to date with friends without needing to revitalize the internet browser.
The trade off? Facebook Lite-- which is advertised as less than 1MB (252KB), however in fact took up 1.16 MB after installation-- demands a fair amount of consents from your Android device, comparable to the complete fledged 114MB (after setup) regular variation of the app (just without the place data). Oh, did we discuss it's slow?
Even on WiFi, the app is sluggish to load, slow to scroll, and slow to change between News Feed, your messages, and notifications. Even with a high-end Snapdragon 801 equipped Android gadget, the "app" straight up seems like molasses. However as we discussed, you do get direct access to your messages without needing to install Facebook Messenger, so there's that.
We think Facebook really had something here and were really wishing for a quicker, lighter, less function heavy, Facebook app for those of who do not require all the frill of sticker label stores and so on. Unfortunately, Facebook Lite really simply doesn't cut it.
Facebook Lite is currently offered for all Android 2.2+ gadgets in Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or Zimbabwe by means of the Play Shop. Those living in other places who 'd still want to offer it a try, you can download it from us via the link below.
Download: Facebook Lite for Android