Web search over low bandwidth

Abstract

Web search and browsing have been streamlined for a comfortable experience when the network connection is fast. Existing systems, however, are not optimized for scenarios where connectivity is poor, as is the case for many users in developing regions where fast connections are expensive, rare, or unavailable. We examined the challenges faced by users behind one of these connections in a previous study, and found that the existing web interface is incapable of providing a good experience when the connection is extremely slow. In this demonstration we present a prototype implementation of a web browsing system that incorporates what we learned. Our system helps the users search offline as much as possible, and in a single search query when information from the Internet is required.