Google launches app for lighter online browsing for slow connections

Google launched a new app that will make it lighter to browse online, with search results optimized to save up to 40% data. The Google Go app will be available in 26 sub-Saharan Africa nations, is customized to function on Android devices with low storage and will load on slow and unstable connections including 2G networks. The app will allow for voice recognition-based searches (instead of typing), while easily switching between languages including Swahili. The app’s release is part of a recognition of how high data costs, inadequate digital infrastructure, geographical locations, and scarcity of content in local languages keep many Africans offline.