Facebook Lite heads to emerging markets, hopes to keep people with slower data using the service

Looks like Facebook has added another app to its portfolio today with the release of Facebook Lite. The new app is an ultra slimmed down version of the full featured app coming in at just 252KB. It isn’t one that users in the states will see in the Play Store though as Facebook created this app to target emerging markets where data is still hovering on 2G connections and internal phone storage is less than stellar.

As far as I know at this point, the new Facebook Lite is available in Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. it is likely available in other areas as well and is compatible on Android 2.2+ devices. The apps description in the Play Store offers up some more details.

This version of Facebook uses less data and works in all network conditions.

Facebook Lite is:
– Fast to install — the app is less than 1 MB
– Quick to load
– Efficient with data
– Designed for 2G networks and areas with limited network connectivity

Keeping up with friends is faster than ever. Facebook is free and always will be.

About Facebook:
– Message friends and have group conversations
– Get notifications when friends like and comment on your posts
– See what friends are up to
– Share updates and photos

While US, and other major market, users won’t be able to install it from the Play Store, you can still give it a look-see as the APK is available for install via the link below.

Download: Facebook Lite APK

For those that can get it from the Play Store, here is the direct link.