17 February 2010 | Author: L. Sutherland Head of Media Content

Facebook Zero takes tips from Twitter

When Facebook Lite is too much to carry, the social networking site will soon encourage you to turn to Facebook Zero - a text-only service that could target Twitter fans.

Facebook Zero is the savvy networker's solution to accessing the site on mobile phones that don't fall into the smartphone bracket. With recent news that the best loved social network around is driving a boost in mobile web use, it's clear that the sector could be a huge one for the site, and Facebook Zero could help it clinch more page views than ever.

Speaking to TechCrunch, Brandee Barker, a Facebook spokeswoman, explained: "Zero is a light-weight version of m.facebook.com that omits data intensive applications like photos. We are discussing it at Mobile World Congress as an option to make Facebook on the mobile web available to everyone, anywhere and allow operators to encourage more mobile internet usage."

This stripped down version of Facebook - found at zero.facebook.com, but not yet supported by the majority of carriers - does not display pictures or other troublesome media, thereby making it easier for phones, and busy users, to handle.

TechCrunch reports that Facebook Zero will be free and that those who are looking for increased functionality from their mobile carriers will have the chance to enjoy a multimedia experience by switching to a paid-for data service.

The question of whether the sparse layout of Facebook Zero will end up tempting tweeters away from popular micro-blogging site Twitter is yet to be seen - answers of 140 characters or less on a text-only postcard please.

Home | Careers | RSS | Contact Us | Newsletter

International sites: