Facebook is the latest company to jump on the Snapchat-inspired fun photo and videos sharing bandwagon, with an update to iOS app rolling out a new camera with special effects, among other features.
To access the feature, users simply have to tap the camera icon on the top left corner of the standard Facebook app, or else swipe right from News Feed.
The Facebook camera offers multiple effects ranging from masks to frames and interactive filters that can be applied to both photos and video. This includes reactive effects that can add overlays such as falling snow in a video.
Facebook is also trying out an additional source of revenue by partnering with movie studios to create masks related to new and upcoming movies such as Alien: Covenant, Despicable Me 3, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Power Rangers, Smurfs: The Lost Village and Wonder Woman.
Photo: Facebook
According to Facebook, it will be regularly refreshing the creative effects in the camera to keep the feature fun and fresh.
The app also incorporates a new Spachat-like feature called Direct that’s designed for sharing individual photos and videos with specific friends for a limited time. Direct vieos or photo can be viewed only as long as a conversation continues, similar to the time-sensitive disappearing video seen on Snapchat. Finally, there’s a new Stories feature that will allow you to view videos and photos from your friends.
The fun video sharing war
Facebook’s new feature debuts one week after Apple announced a social app of its own built around sharing photos and video. Called Clips, the social app will work by combining video clips, photos and music into videos that can be shared with friends through the Messages app, or using Instagram, Facebook and other popular social networks.
Clips is set to launch for free at the start of April, and represents Apple’s own attempt at grabbing a piece of that all-important youth-oriented social photo-sharing audience.
Now can’t everyone draw a line under this concept and decide to try something new? Like, please!
Source: iTunes
