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Facebook Lite Goes Live, Strips Away Distractions

by Terrence O'Brien on September 10, 2009 at 07:25 PM


In mid-August we got our first brief glimpse of the simplified Facebook Lite. The stripped down (Dare we say, "Twitteresque?") version of the 'Book has now launched in beta and anyone can get access by visiting lite.facebook.com.

This alternate version strips away the apps, the groups, the boxes, and leaves Facebook's most important features -- the inbox, status updates, photos, and comments. Also, gone are the semi-useful customized filters, feeds, and chat, which are vital for some. The simple site loads noticeably faster, is friendlier to navigate, and is much easier on the eyes thanks to the lack of people sending you virtual booze, or asking your to join their Vampire Fraternity.

Although some of the features (e.g. external Web site, privacy settings, and controls) aren't online yet and the site is still a bit buggy, Facebook Lite should suffice as a full-time replacement for the regular ol' blue -- at least for those poke-shy or Mafia-weary (like Mom). The new layout seems like direct challenge to Twitter, which can attribute much of its success to simplicity and portability. Too minimalist for your tastes? Need your Kitty App fix? You can always head back to the regular version at Facebook.com.

Check out the gallery below if you want to get a quick feel for the Lite version of Facebook before you log in for yourself.

Facebook Lite

Tags: facebook, facebook lite, FacebookLite, top

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