Having failed in its mission to take over Snapchat, Facebook has now launched another assault on rival Snapchat. The online social media and social networking giant is currently testing a new product, which is very similar in look and feel as Snapchat.
Facebook announced on Oct. 28, Friday, it has developed an entirely new camera interface as well as messaging feature in its key app that will allow users to send crazy selfies to friends. These selfies will disappear after 24 hours. Dubbed as "the new camera," it will include optional special effects such as facial masks. Prior to its launch, the feature will be made available in Ireland, Business Insider reported.
Similar to Snapchat, the new camera will include augmented reality (AR) selfie masks. The features of the new camera are very similar to Snapchat's Lenses. The new interface will be opened by a camera button positioned above the News Feed, while swiping on the right side of the News Feed will display photo as well as video direct messages with friends.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has taken a personal interest in developing the camera redesign has been of personal interest to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the report quotes an individual familiar with his thoughts as saying. According to the source, during a recent meeting with Facebook employees earlier this summer, Zuckerberg shared that "the camera is the composer."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the social media giant told the website on Friday that the revamped camera design was inspired by two major trends observed by the company. Facebook has observed that compared to the past, people are now sharing more photos and videos and they would like a means to share their photos and videos just with their close friends, and not with everyone.
While Facebook has been trying to copy Snapchat's messaging products, this time there is a major difference. The company has built the new product into its main app, which reportedly has 1.7 million users.
Earlier, the company tried to replicate the Snapchat magic by developing standalone apps such as Poke and Slingshot. Moreover, the new camera will be available with a separate inbox in the flagship Facebook app. In other words users will be able to send their photos and videos without using the Messenger, Recode reported.
It is worth mentioning here that since Snapchat CEO rejected Zuckerberg's attempt to acquire Snapchat, this image messaging and multimedia mobile app has turned out to be a major threat for the social media giant as far as the new mobile-friendly teenagers are concerned. This is the main reason why Facebook as well as Instagram have been endeavoring to clone the fun features of Snapchat fun features, including facial filters and Stories to goofy one-to-one messages.
Watch what the social media is actually up to: