Facebook launches Messenger Lite for Android

Facebook has just announced the immediate availability of a new version of its Messenger application for Android devices. Dubbed Messenger Lite, the application will be launched in emerging markets where communication is still a luxury.

The main goal of Messenger Lite is to reduce the mobile data consumption, which is so expensive in some markets. According to Facebook, the Messenger Lite application will be initially launched in five countries: Kenya, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, and Venezuela. However, the developers confirmed the application will expand to more markets after the initial launch phase.

Another reason that Facebook decided to launch a lightweight, and basic version of Messenger is that there are many people in these emerging markets who still own older Android devices that have less available storage, memory, and lower performing CPUs. These smartphones often run on lower bandwidth connections, so Messenger Lite will definitely come in handy in these countries.

The application will be launched in these five countries first because Facebook claims they have a larger number of Messenger users than any other country in the region. But, as mentioned earlier, Messenger Lite will arrive in other emerging markets as well, very soon.

This is the second “lite” application launched by Facebook after the company released a “Facebook Lite” application for people whose smartphones are not capable enough to run the full-fledged version of the application.

We doubt there will be an iOS version of the Messenger Lite application available since Android is king in these emerging markets. Also, iOS devices shouldn't have any trouble in running the standard version of Messenger.