Facebook rolls out Messenger Lite for emerging markets

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Facebook Inc launched a stripped down version of its popular Messenger app for emerging markets on Monday as it seeks to expand its international footprint.

Messenger Lite, which uses less data and is designed to work in areas with slower internet connections, will roll out in Kenya, Tunisia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Venezuela. Facebook said it will expand to other countries in the coming months.

Facebook has largely saturated Western markets, including North America and Europe, and has set its sights on developing countries, in part by rolling out “lite” versions of its main Facebook app and now Messenger, which have fewer capabilities than the main apps.

Users with Android phones will still be able to use the core features of Messenger, including the ability to send text messages, photos and links but will not be able to make video or voice calls or make payments.

“We want to make sure Messenger products are truly for everyone,” David Marcus, head of Messenger, said in an interview.

Facebook also offers a pared-down version of the internet in more than three dozen countries, called Free Basics, to connect people to the internet who do not have a reliable connection.

Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg has repeatedly said the company’s mission is to get everyone in the world connected to the internet.

Facebook rolls out Messenger Lite for emerging markets Tech2 Mobile
 
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Facebook introduces Messenger 'Lite' for Android

Much like the main Facebook Lite app that came before it, Messenger Lite is aimed at users in emerging markets. The pared down app has been designed to be work reliably a wider variety of Android devices, and use less data to mitigate unpredictable network speeds. It's not clear what's missing in the lightweight version, but don't be surprised if features like
Stories or Chatbots don't make the cut. At the very least, Messenger Lite will send and receive photos, stickers and links. There's no mention of whether there will be a similar app for iOS (Facebook says it chose markets with "prevalence of basic Android smartphones"), but if you're in one of the five launch nations, you can download Messenger Lite starting today.

Facebook introduces Messenger 'Lite' for Android
Zuck doesn't want old technology to get in the way of messaging.
James Trew
10h ago in Mobile
Facebook has announced a "Lite" version of its Android Messenger app. The new bare-bones Messenger app is designed for older phones with less memory and less powerful processors. Messenger Lite will initially launch in Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Venezuela, but will hit other regions at a later, unspecified date.


Facebook introduces Messenger 'Lite' for Android
 
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