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Facebook has announced the launch of its latest site specifically targeted at mobile phone users. The Website, known as Facebook Zero, is a completely stripped-down, low-bandwidth and text-only version of Facebook.
Unlike Facebook Lite, Zero is designed to meet the basic needs of the over 100 million mobile users of Facebook on the Internet and should provide additional benefit to mobile network operators by freeing up critical bandwidth on their networks by leaving out data intensive applications such as photos and videos.
Click here to view Facebook Zero on your Web browser
A spokesperson for Facebook is quoted as saying that the new site, which was annonuced at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, will serve “as an option to make Facebook on the mobile Web available to everyone, anywhere and allow operators to encourage more mobile Internet usage”. However, it is not yet clear to what extent this new addition will further boost the popularity of Facebook usage among mobile phone users.
Talking Point
I cannot help but think that Facebook Zero has been designed to target new users who may live in developing countries or places with low-bandwidth history at the expense of current users. Do you agree that it will encourage all mobile phone users to access Facebook on their device more than ever or perhaps alienate existing users particularly because of its obvious lack of aesthetics and potentially modest user-experience?
10 Comments
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iPhone 3g
February 18, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I have no doubts that Facebook Zero is being launched to target new users who are in areas where the bandwidth is low. You already have people in developed countries accessing Facebook on their mobile internet devices through mobile broadband. So, I believe your talking point is 100% true.
Phone Messaging Service
March 9, 2010 at 12:07 am
Facebook is so universal now (even my grandmother has one) that opening up a “Zero” version makes perfect sense. I don’t know the stats about how many users are internet users vs those that are mobile users but I’m sure developing a low bandwidth site will save them money in the long run by saving the bandwidth for the internet users. Good idea. Not sure if it will open up a wider audience though – everyone facebooks, how many more users do they need!
website for mobile
June 8, 2010 at 6:19 am
This blog was very interesting, i would like to have more information about face book for mobile phones in the world with details,Thanks
mobile phone
June 25, 2010 at 10:32 pm
It could well be that FB0 is ment to encourage new users with low bandwith, think even yong teens who come from poor familis and are getting hand me down phones and slow internet as possibilites. I am just wondering if posts made on FB0 transfer on FB
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September 3, 2010 at 1:27 am
This is very interesting. Thank you so much for sharing this information. Keep me updated with your new posts soon.
adam
April 1, 2011 at 11:25 am
The Facebook app is now one of the biggest downloaded apps of all times with versions for Iphone, Andriod etc. Not a bad achievement.
Jessica Deane
April 19, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Too true Adam and even more mind blowing when you think they only started a few years ago.
These guys certainly weren’t joking when they said they were going to overtake Google – they are well on their way aren’t they.
Johnny Ferreira
April 20, 2011 at 5:41 pm
seems like an idea but I wonder if not being able to have images etc will just make the whole facebook experience just not right, after all, that is a huge part of facebook isn’t it?
Johnny Ferreira
Music Producer
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Marc Rasmussen
August 4, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Facebook is gaining up on Google as the most visited website. The achievements that Facebook was able to accomplish in a short span of time are just mind boggling. It’s very difficult nowadays to find any person who doesn’t have a Facebook account.
Marc Rasmussen
August 4, 2011 at 2:39 pm
Facebook is gaining up on Google as the most visited website. The achievements that Facebook was able to accomplish in a short span of time are just mind boggling. It’s very difficult nowadays to find anyone who doesn’t have a Facebook account.