 has launched the new 'Twitter Lite' in an attempt to tap into a new user base as the social media firm struggles for growt){kind=link}
Twitter (NYSE:TWTR) has launched the new ‘Twitter Lite’ in an attempt to tap into a new user base as the social media firm struggles for growth.
Twitter Lite is a less data-intensive version of its original service for emerging markets, where internet connections can be patchy.
The appearance and functionality of the new Lite version are almost identical to the app, but works through a web browser allowing it to take up less storage and work faster on slower internet networks.
There will also be a data saver mode. This will allow users to preview images and videos before choosing to download them, saving data usage.
“We didn’t feel like we were reaching these other countries well enough, and this will allow us to do it faster, cheaper and with a better experience than we’ve had before,” Twitter’s vice president.
The launch of Twitter Lite is similar to other similar products. For example in 2015, Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) released Facebook Lite. On Tuesday, Alphabet Inc’s YouTube released a low-data mobile app aimed specifically for India.
“We are working hard to bring more exciting updates to Twitter Lite for people worldwide and to develop more partnerships in emerging markets to make it useful,” Twitter said on their website.
“No matter where you are in the world, we want to make Twitter the best way for you to get real-time updates on news, sports, entertainment, politics, and other topics that matter most to you.”
Twitter has released plans to work with Vodaphone (LON:VOD) to promote Twitter Lite in India, as a way for consumers to get live sports updates on the Indian Premier League cricket matches.
India is not the only country that Twitter has its sights set on with its new web browser. The social-media giant also hope for it to be successful and useful in Indonesia, the Philippines, Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.