Facebook is expanding in testing a new camera feature on its main app that relies on the exact same video and photo filters enjoyed by Snapchat users today. Facebook users can now send masks that map your face and full-frame effects that overlays the scene. It can be sent as a direct message to a number of people on Facebook.
Facebook being used by over 1.4 billion people every month has never before adopted features from prominent apps to its main app. According to The Verge, another feature which is similar to Snapchat is that the video will only remain visible as long as you and your friend talk about it. The content will disappear after 24 hours if you fail to start a conversation.
Facebook is planning to place the camera icon in the upper left hand corner of the main app. It will also let you access it be swiping right on the main screen. Currently it is still only a test, which is limited only in Ireland. Similar features were released by Facebook in Canada and Brazil during the Olympics.
The new update of Facebook is the boldest attempt to steal away Snapchat's user base. In fact, a report by Wall Street Journal said that Facebook tried to buy Snapchat for $3 billion back in 2013. However, the mega social media site was unsucessful in convincing the Snapchat CEO, Evan Spiegal.
Snapchat is still an existing threat to Facebook, making a near copy of the fun and spunky features the former has. Facebook seems to only be following suit, especially after Instagram released their Instagram Stories feature recently.
According to Mashable, the company's goal is to capitalize on user's desire to share more casually and more visually. As of writing, the Snapchat-like feature on Facebook is still experimental and they will still continue testing different variations of the feature.