After a high-profile delay, Facebook has finally launched a photo-messaging app to rival SnapChat, letting users swap self-destructing photos- provided everyone takes part in the sharing process.
Known as Slingshot, the app’s features include sharing photos and videos with friends and sending “reaction shots”.
But unlike rival SnapChat, before viewing a received photo, the user must send back one of their own in a bid to boost engagement.
The idea is to shift the usual internet balance of power in which a small group of people do most of the sharing and most others just lurk.
“Hopefully people who don’t share as much will feel comfortable, in this app, sharing,” said Slingshot product manager Will Ruben.
It uses an unlocking mechanism, whereby photos received from friends must be unlocked by “slinging” a different photo back to the original sender. Users can also annotate these messages with text and other drawings.
Another noteworthy feature is the ability to hit a React button when viewing a message, which will instantly capture and send the user’s reaction.
Like Snapchat, all images are deleted once sent and users can scribble or type over their photos.
On the social media page for the app, the creators said: “With Slingshot, we wanted to build something where everybody is a creator and nobody is just a spectator.
“When everyone participates, there’s less pressure, more creativity and even the little things in life can turn into awesome shared experiences.”
Last week, Facebook set the app live on the App Store in a handful of countries. However, the Slingshot app was pulled by Facebook shortly thereafter. Facebook later admitted that Slingshot’s publishing had been an accident
Read the official announcement from Facebook on its page here