Facebook launches Android app for emerging markets

MUMBAI, INDIA: Facebook has introduced Facebook Lite Android app, targeted at smart phone users in emerging markets.

The app, called Facebook Lite, is less than 1 percent the size of Facebook’s main app, and is designed to work in areas with slow networks and limited bandwidth.

Users of the smaller mobile app can post status updates and pictures, scroll through news feed and get notifications. But the app does not support data-intensive features like video.

While the app is being rolled out in Asia as of now, the company has plans to launch it in parts of Latin America, Africa and Europe, in the coming weeks.

A company spokeswoman said the Facebook Lite app is not part of Internet.org, Facebook’s program to extend Web access to people who do not use the Internet today.