The new update will optimize the app for Android devices running versions 4.0.3 through 5.1. Microsoft says that this version "is lighter in disk and memory consumption" and that it will provide better audio and video quality for these devices, as well as better performance when the connection is not as good. The update will be launched worldwide in the coming weeks.
The approach is a bit like what Google does with Android Go, a smaller version of Android that does not require as much processing power, RAM or storage. These are phones designed to operate in areas with limited Internet connectivity, and come with applications designed to work with such limited specifications.
This is not the first communication application that follows this path: Facebook launched Messenger Lite for Android last October, which reduces a little the clutter of the usual application, while Twitter has introduced a lite version of its site mobile that uses less data. September. The focus on applications and sites requiring less data and better performance is useful around the world, especially in places where the latest phone models are not available or are affordable.
