Google announces a new 'Search Lite' feature to make Android devices load four times faster on slower 2G connections.
Google has started rolling out a new 'Search Lite' feature to Android devices that will optimize Web pages to load faster on slow 2G connections and consume 80% less data.
The feature transcodes pages for quicker delivery on the move when it detects that a user is on a slow connection. It appears that the method strips out Google Analytics scripts and some CSS styling. The internet giant claims that the new feature will start rolling out in the next two weeks and it claims will load pages four times faster and at the same time consume 80 per cent less data. "The feature is triggered automatically when the user is on a slower network connection. Of course, they will be able to choose if they want to see the original page." The internet giant started testing this feature at the end of April in Indonesia. The company will be launching the feature next in Brazil according to reports.
Companies like Facebook and Google have been focusing on India which is expected to have an internet user base of 550 million by 2018. Facebook has also launched a Lite version for the Indian users. Read Facebook Lite for Android: First Look
Hiroto Tokusei, Product Manager, Google Inc, stated, “The new feature will come into play whenever a mobile user is access search results from a very slow network. Google will capture the page and make it lighter.” He said, "With over 200 million Indians accessing the Internet from a smartphone, we’re working hard to make access faster and more affordable," He added in India, where 2G network connections are very slow, getting information on phone can be tough, and frustrating.
Google stated that publishers will also benefit from the new feature as they will see a 50 per cent jump in page views. However, these pages don’t yet have Google Analytics which is used for tracking page views. Tokusei stated that the company was working on implementing analytics and some of the ad networks were already working on these pages. “Monetisation won’t be affected for publishers. There is an opt out option for the users as well as publishers,” he said. “The feature is good for publishers as it will extend their reach,” he added.
Source: Google
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Silky Malhotra
Silky Malhotra loves learning about new technology, gadgets, and more. When she isn’t writing, she is usually found reading, watching Netflix, gardening, travelling, or trying out new cuisines. View Full Profile
