Facebook Launches "Zero" Mobile Website
On Tuesday Facebook said that it is launching a new mobile-friendly, "lite" version of the popular social networking site. Called "Zero," the new site focuses on low-bandwidth consumption by offering mostly text and a few small images. Now consumers can get a quick Facebook fix on the go without the need for a costly data plan.
"Zero is a light-weight version of m.facebook.com that omits data intensive applications like Photos," said Facebook rep Brandee Barker. "It will launch in coming weeks and we are discussing it at MWC as an option to make Facebook on the mobile web available to everyone, anywhere and allow operators to encourage more mobile Internet usage."
Many mobile providers may already support Facebook Zero--Verizon currently grants passage to the watered-down social networking site. However, an occasional message at the top of the page stating "your wireless carrier does not currently support Facebook Zero" indicates that Facebook has a few bugs to iron out.
Consumers wanting a meatier Facebook experience will need to upgrade their mobile service contract with a data plan (and a supported smartphone). But despite ripping out all the bandwidth hogging features that makes Facebook such a useful tool, users can still read Inbox messages and the latest news feed through the new site.
It's not pretty, but it's certainly functional.
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I prefer full sites vs "mobile sites" especially ebay and facebook. It's easier to navigate if everything isn't changed to "mobile friendly" imo.
Just another new tool to implement FAD.
Im still not falling into any of facebook's deathtraps.
My mom has already fallen, and Im damn scared of that.
I can hear it now.
"We took Facebook users, blindfolded them and had them try our new Facebook Zero alongside regular Facebook to see if they could tell the difference."
"Facebook Zero, same great taste, zero-calories, all full of Face-y Book-y goodness!"
The real question? Why not just make this the mobile site period?
No thank you! Not the slightest bit interested. Pretty much a waste of time.
I just tried it in my browser (computer, not phone).
I'm tempted to say I like some parts of it better than regular Facebook. Just shows status updates and you can get to the inbox, etc. No ads, no "friends" sending spam games.
Nice, simple, no junk.
I wonder what will happen to Orange users in the UK, currently i get access to the "m" version for free and can perv at all the pics i like without data charges. I can see an "Upgrade" to the new and "improved" mobile facebook coming shortly
Too many apps. Too many variations. When will the floodgates close?
*Sigh*
Whilst I appreciate the need for this I wish they'd actually get on with developing the main application. So many people have stepped to using the lite version because they aren't happy with the changes being made to the main application.
I swear it all went down the drain when they opened it up to the general public. Before it was innovative and the developers were obviously having more say on content. It's now focused on sales/marketing rather than introducing groundbreaking functionality.
I'm pleased that other companies are trying to break into the social network scene though. Might mean Facebook get their act together. Just wish the opposition was better than Google Buzz...