Facebook has announced that it is testing an update for its News Feed on Android devices. This new update will take previously downloaded, unread items to the top of the stream of posts and enable users to comment offline.

Facebook said that the cached items will still be displayed by relevance. But the spinning icon that is shown as the user waits for new posts to load will be replaced. With this new update, user can now view the stories that they have missed, while new posts load in the background.

Like Us on Facebook

Mashable reported that the caching behavior will also be extended to interact with friend's posts. The app now gives users the ability to post comment while offline. The users comment will be posted once the device detects a connection. Users can also like and share posts without a connection.

The company will be testing and rolling out this new feature to users over time. The update is not just limited to those in emerging markets. Users in developed markets can also use this feature especially when they are stuck with bad connectivity area, like in crowded events or subways.

Facebook chose to test these updates on Android devices because users of this platform are rapidly expanding - especially in emerging markets in Asia. According to Facebook, many who are coming online and experience slower mobile connections are using Android devices. The company also emphasized that mobile connectivity in many of those areas remains at 2G Signals.

"People are coming online at a staggering rate in emerging markets," said Facebook in its blog post.

Facebook claims that there are over a billion users now who are using their services. The company said that Asian users continue to grow quickly. According to Facebook, they have 47 million users in the Philippines and 79 million monthly active users in Indonesia, as of September. This numbers represent a 46% growth for the Philippines and 18% growth for Indonesia compared to the year before.

Recently, Facebook rolled out 'Facebook Lite', a lightweight Android version of the full app. The application was being roll out to over eight countries namely Bangladesh, Nigeria, Nepal, South Africa, Sudan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.

TagsFacebook news, Facebook Apps, Facebook Latest News, Facebook Lite, facebook offline