Comments for Facebook Goes Lite and Tests Twitter-Like Version of Itself

Facebook Goes Lite and Tests Twitter-Like Version of Itself

2009-08-12T07:28:55Z

Tonight, a number of Facebook users reported that they received beta invitations to a 'lite' version of the popular social networking service. Details about this simplified version of Facebook are still sparse, but we know that the site will be available on http://lite.facebook.com and will offer users a "faster, simpler version of Facebook." Judging from what we have seen so far, Facebook Lite turns Facebook into a very Twitter-like experience.

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Currently, the lite.facebook.com link doesn't go anywhere and the invites have disappeared again, but just a few days ago, at least this Twitter user got to see it in action (hat tip to MG Siegler for finding this).

Attack on Twitter?

It is interesting to see that Facebook is working on this now, especially given that it only announced the acquisition of FriendFeed yesterday. If these screenshots turn out to be true, then this would be a full-force attack on Twitter. FriendFeed was often heralded as a potential challenger for Twitter, though it never quite got the mainstream traction to fulfill this promise.

Earlier this year, Louis Gray argued that in order to succeed, FriendFeed would have to offer a simplified version of itself. Now that FriendFeed is part of Facebook, maybe the FriendFeed team will get a chance to do just this.

Overall, stripping down Facebook's interface to the bare essentials doesn't seem like such a bad idea. The current interface is getting rather cluttered and if Facebook really wants to emphasize the stream, this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Comment from Goomuza on 2009-12-04

2009-12-05T06:29:05Z

I am very pleased to read the article in your Blog.
It gives me new knowledge has come very grateful.

Comment from Sushant on 2009-09-29

2009-09-29T07:21:29Z

can ne1 tell me hw 2 switch from facebook lite 2 facebook normal version.....i hv tried gng in d setting column but to no avail...thr is no switching option....

pls can u hlp me out........

Comment from facebook connect on 2009-09-04

2009-09-04T08:05:16Z

Looks like we’re back to Facebook 1.0. Honestly, I preferred it before we got all those mind-numbing apps.

Comment from jj on 2009-08-27

2009-08-27T09:00:05Z

Im proud of FaceBOok they came a long way just like http://onedietcombo.com and http://gamerdew.com
both became one of one now we one of millions!!!

Comment from Marshall Kirkpatrick on 2009-08-14

2009-08-14T14:24:11Z

Facebook Goes Lite and Tests Twitter-Like Version of Itself http://bit.ly/NbSUB don't go to sleep! more news could break! lol [from http://twitter.com/marshallk/statuses/3261759311]

Comment from JAmie on 2009-08-13

2009-08-14T01:09:09Z

I dunno, I still say that FB and Twitter have two very different usages. I have no problem sharing more casually with a broad cross section of people on Twitter or an FB fan page (more business and information oriented), but there's no way I'm giving everyone access to my family photos etc., and I can't imagine receiving quiz, app, and cause requests from so many people. My FB profile is a small number of very close friends and my family, Twitter is open to anyone that cares to follow me.

Comment from Facebook Connect Developers on 2009-08-13

2009-08-13T07:29:14Z

Its really great effort from Facebook to introduce such features for a low bandwidth and low connectivity users and to surf facebook more faster and feel liter. Really nice. Thanks for info

Comment from RM - ProActive News Room on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T15:53:08Z

First time I see but will be curious to see how this affects the business pages if at all! I personally like twitter's stream much better than facebooks but the real test will be the affects on the fan pages!

Thanks for the share!

Comment from Robert Fisher on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T13:56:02Z

I am surprised that it is taking them this long to get this out. Twitter started out slow, but like anything else that caught on, exploded exponentially. Facebook could have capitalized a little more. It will be interesting to see what kind of affect it will have on Twitter, or will it turn people off of Facebook. I don't think a beta test will show this.

Comment from ITrush on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T13:03:29Z

Looks great, let's see how this lite works head to head with its look alike.

Comment from G Burg on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T13:01:43Z

It's time for a change on Facebook. I so sick of the same ole same.

Comment from norbreck castle on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T12:43:53Z

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2009-08-12T12:35:37Z

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Comment from NMN on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T12:12:48Z

well it does seem like FB is trying to challenge the main man of streaming, which is twitter. http://AppUseful.com

Comment from Luke, Reach Students on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T11:31:42Z

Use of the words "Attack on Twitter?" is interesting in the context of last week's malicious 'attacks' on Twitter.

Comment from Rebecca Kotz on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T10:25:52Z

This is very interesting... what will be next? I can't wait to see how this will be implemented and impact Facebook pages for businesses!

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2009-08-12T10:14:41Z

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Comment from Russell O'Sullivan on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T09:35:07Z

having taken a look at the new FB lite, surely it just looks like the wap enabled version that i access via my mobile phone.

Strangley enough i actually access FB more via tha wap version, as I prefer the stripped down look and functionality over accessing it via PC... no sponosered ads, no annoying people who have just taken a test, quiz or other junk....

Roll it out and let the real attributes of FB come through!

Comment from Pablo on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T09:04:58Z

I've received no invitation to this, but would gladly accept one. Looks nifty.

Comment from Ashutosh D on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T08:41:20Z

Makes sense. Everyone has been wondering how Twitter was going to monetise its service. Making the Lite version could allow for bringing over the revenue model that FB was already using, over to the Lite version. Those using the 'work arounds' to advertising/marketing their products on Twitter, could probably benefit from FB-Lite?

Comment from David Banes on 2009-08-12

2009-08-12T08:10:26Z

Does it support XMPP access, or do we all have to troll off to a web page?