Facebook is reportedly readying a new short video messaging app, Slingshot, in another attempt to take on Snapchat.
Facebook, world's biggest social networking company, is not yet done trying to take down Snapchat, even after its failed attempt in 2012 with the launch of Poke. The social network killed the self-destructing messaging app earlier this month, but latest reports suggest it was a part of a bigger move. In a new report from Financial Times, citing unnamed sources, Facebook has been readying a Snapchat-like messaging app for several months now and calls it Slingshot.
According to the sources, the unannounced mobile app will feature a straightforward user interface, which bears resemblance to a new video-messaging app from Wit Dot Media, TapTalk. In the app, users can tap and hold a contact's profile picture to send a photo or a short video that can be viewed only once by the recipient.
Disappearing text has become a new trend among mobile users, who want to share private texts, images and videos among themselves. Snapchat has gained expertise in the field and has attracted several users to its service. But recent events have got the mobile messaging app into the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Earlier this month, Snapchat entered into a consent decree with FTC over its false claims of self-destructive messaging feature and misuse of customer information. But the company has agreed to adhere to its promises going forward.
The news of Slingshot by Facebook is still unofficial and has no specific release date, sources said that the app might launch as early as this month. Slingshot can be a good get away for Snapchat users upset with the latest FTC revelations and can gain favorable results for Facebook after Poke.
As for Facebook, the messaging platform is not entirely new. The social network acquired WhatsApp in February by paying a massive sum of $16 billion. The company also has its own messaging feature, Facebook Messenger, but is connected directly to the social networking site. Facebook has also launched new standalone apps like Paper and promises more to come, Android Central reports.
