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Facebook to take on Snapchat with Slingshot

Facebook to take on Snapchat with Slingshot
Zuzanna Blaszkiewicz

Zuzanna Blaszkiewicz

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According to rumors, Facebook is working on a Snapchat competitor app, code-named Slingshot. Like Snapchat, the app will let users send photos and videos with a limited lifespan.

It’s no secret that Facebook is trying to get in on the ephemeral-messaging game; last year, it offered Snapchat $3 billion dollars to buy the app, which Snapchat co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel kindly declined. Now, Facebook is working on it’s own app that’s hoping to compete with the especially teen-friendly Snapchat, a market which Facebook is quickly losing.  As the Financial Times reports, Facebook has been working on the app for several months under the close supervision of Mark Zuckerburg himself.

A simple interface will let users send quick photos or videos to each other that’ll disappear after a few seconds. It’s said to based on similar app TapTalk, which shows a grid of profile pictures that you tap or hold down on to send a photo or video.

The app isn’t the first time Facebook’s tried going head-to-head with Snapchat, and with a name like Slingshot, there’s no question who they’re aiming it at. Poke was Facebook’s first attempt at a Snapchat-like messaging app, but after a year in the App Store and minimal downloads, it was discontinued this past March. Undeterred, Facebook continues to focus on mobile, with a whole slew of standalone apps, including Messenger, planned for this year.

Facebook is yet to confirm the project, but sources close to the social network claim that the app could be released as early as this month.

Follow Zuzanna on Twitter @suzieblaszQwicz

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