The deluge of stories revolving around Facebook copying Snapchat might hit a zenith today as the social media company begins to launch "Facebook Stories" worldwide, this time in the main Facebook app for iOS devices (via TechCrunch). Previously, Facebook created a facsimile of Snapchat's day-long, vanishing post idea in Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, which gained 100 million users following the Snapchat-like update last year.

facebook stories
The idea is identical in Facebook Stories, where users will now be able to post a photo or video through a new UI at the top of the Facebook mobile app. Their friends can see the post over the next 24 hours and reply to it within Facebook Messenger. Continuing the trend, last week that app launched "Messenger Day" for users to create the exact same disappearing posts, but centered on creating plans with friends. Facebook originally tested out Facebook Stories in Ireland.

[Update 3/16]: Facebook has contacted MacRumors with a correction, stating that some misinformation has been floating around online and the company is "not rolling this out globally yet." The company mentioned that it is "still testing it in a few countries -- most recently, Chile, Vietnam and Greece as of yesterday," but it has "no global rollout plans or timeline to share quite yet."

Top Rated Comments

Porco Avatar
114 months ago
Once upon a time, in the land of Zuck, the magical Book of Face collected all the peole's lives in one place.

"But it's so hard to get out of the Book of Face once you're in it!" cried the people.

Then King Zuck decreed that he would make a new, even more magical Book of Face where people's lives only appeared for a short time, then vanished. And it was not at all like the Chat of Snap.

"Why do our lives now vanish so quickly!" cried the people.

Eventually they reailsed that neither flavour of the Book of Face was actually good for them, so they left the Kingdom of Zuck and they all lived happily ever after.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thingstoponder Avatar
114 months ago
Why does Facebook want them all to be the same? I hate Facebook so much.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
5105973 Avatar
114 months ago
Oh great, once again the icons will be moving around in the Facebook app.

Every time I get used to the new position of an icon they move it. They certainly have never heard of consistency or user experience.
When I was dragged kicking and screaming into it about three or four years ago by friends and family it was tolerable for a year or two. By the time I washed my hands of the whole mess over the summer, it was a complete and utter mess to keep up with and navigate. And yes, it kept changing constantly so that I had to relearn my way around. It also got more forceful about trying to take my contacts and drag them into the same pit. Good riddance.

Some of the people who miss me are actually writing real letters to me again. There's a lot to be said for that, especially when some of your friends pass away and their handwritten letter is all you have left of them.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
rodpascoe Avatar
114 months ago
Oh great, once again the icons will be moving around in the Facebook app.

Every time I get used to the new position of an icon they move it. They certainly have never heard of consistency or user experience.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smallcoffee Avatar
114 months ago
It should be illegal for social media sites to buy other social media sites. They are a positive feedback loop and once one gets too big it can buy any serious competitor and continue to entrench its market space. Facebook is already a monopoly. Nobody comes close.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nburwell Avatar
114 months ago
Facebook: "We couldn't buy Snapchat, so we'll make an identical feature within our smartphone apps."

Hard pass. I'll stick with Snapcat, guys.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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