Facebook has released a new version of Facebook aimed specifically at mobile phones in what can only be an effort to save bandwidth for mobile networks. The new version is being dubbed “Facebook Zero” and can be found at zero.facebook.com. As with other facebook sites, you can attempt to get to this one in a normal browser, but you’ll most likely get redirected to m.facebook.com (their normal mobile site) if your network doesn’t support it.
The new site works by omitting data like photos that would be deemed “data intensive” by phone networks.
Techcrunch was able to get hold of the image to the right which shows the potential for a premium version of the service. There are suggestions that networks could introduce the free version as a base app on mobile devices (even though many newer handsets already support the likes of touch.facebook.com straight out the box or as a quick download from their respective application stores. This would then allow carriers to potentially monetise the premium version themselves – restricting access to only those who pay.
Techcrunch also go on to post a PR piece from Facebook:
“Zero” is a light-weight version of m.facebook.com that omits data intensive applications like Photos. 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.
Image Credit: Leshaines123
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