Yet another launch of a stories feature. And this time it’s Facebook Messenger
Facebook’s Messenger Day can’t be called a new concept. Similar to Snapchat Stories, an idea that Instagram and WhatsApp also recently replicated, users can use it to take photos and videos using Messenger’s camera and post them. The shelf-life of these stories will be 24 hours.
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Instagram had introduced a similar feature in August 2016, followed by WhatsApp in March this year. Users of Instagram Stories and WhatsApp Status might be familiar with this feature. Tapping the shutter button will capture a photo, while holding the button down will capture a video. These stories can be sent in two ways. One way is to send a story that can be viewed by all contacts. The second way is to send it to specific contacts as a private message.
Quite predictably, this new feature has drawn comparisons to competitor Snapchat, which according to the Wall Street Journal, Facebook tried acquiring in 2013 but to no avail.
Messenger is rolling out the new feature to iOS and Android users globally. The stories feature was basically introduced as an idea to get more people to share videos often. From facial filters to stories, this will be yet another attempt by Facebook to replicate one of Snapchat’s successful features. It might perhaps be a move to attract young users who avidly use Snapchat.
Messenger Day, which was initially tested in Ireland, may also be part of Facebook’s plan to become more video-centric or to enhance their camera experience. This might also reduce Snapchat’s growth globally and simultaneously bring in older Facebook users to use the new feature.
