Well, we might start putting the fact that Snapchat invented Stories into our textbooks. Facebook has finally introduced the Stories feature in its main application today. You can now share stories (which are very similar to Snapchat stories) with your buddies. The same feature will also allow you to check out pictures, GIFs and short videos from your friends, right at the top of the Facebook app.
The workings of the feature are pretty straight forward. You will see rounded profile pictures representing stories by your friends on the top of your news feed. Each of these stories will last for exactly 24 hours and then disappear. You can tap on any particular friend to check out his or her story which may take the form of photos, videos, drawings or camera effects.
You can also add stories of your own. Simply tap the camera icon in the top left corner of the Facebook app. Click and you can take photos and pictures. You can also add all sorts of effects and drawings. Once ready, you can share the results with the rest of the world, or as many people you want to communicate with. The company is also introducing a slew of new camera effects that will help you anoint and decorate your pictures better.
Facebook has also introduced ‘Direct’ today as well. This is basically a brand a new format of inbox that will let folks indulge in some direct messaging action with each other. Sure, the company already offered messaging over its platform however these direct messages easily remind one of Snapchat’s direct messaging service. This allows folks to share photos and videos with each other in direct response to the stories you are trading with each other.
As far as the effect of this new feature on Facebook users ins concerned, well, they will have a brand new place to browse and spend their time. The effect will be far more pronounced for people with extended friend lists as they would now be able to spend hours upon hours sifting through what their friend’s stories. And more time spent on its platform, is just what Facebook wants.
