After breaking the news that Facebook is launching a newer, stripped-down version of its website, Mashable posted this screenshot (at least they think it’s legit) and a few more details earlier this morning. Boiled down, it’s the company’s take on Twitter, but with the Wall, Info, Friends, and Photos & Videos options all accessible. Mashable says that for now this will not incorporate Facebook’s recent FriendFeed acquisition.
Here’s the official explanation from Facebook courtesy of Caroline McCarthy at CNET:
“We are currently testing a simplified alternative to Facebook.com that loads a specific set of features quickly and efficiently. Similar to the Facebook experience you get on your mobile phones, Facebook ‘Lite’ is a fast-loading, simplified version of Facebook that enables people to make comments, accept friend requests, write on people’s walls, and look at photos and status updates.”
She reports that this move is more about launching Facebook in developing markets.
So, what do you think? Is the Fail Whale is off softly crying in some corner?