WhatsApp tests its own Snapchat Stories clone

If this ever make its way out of testing, another Facebook-owned app will be getting the Snapchat Stories treatment. WhatsApp is testing what it calls Status, a new feature that will let you share photos and videos you can overlay with emojis and text and it stays up for 24 hours. According to BGR India, the feature is currently available to registered public beta testers of the app using rooted Android or iOS devices.

The app on Android gets a new Status tab between the Chats and Calls tabs. It doesn’t take over your ability to share a status message on the service. What it does is create a new channel for users to share visual content with their contacts. At the moment it doesn’t allow users to manually delete Status updates after they’ve been shared. And they can’t be set to have longer or shorter lifespan online. You can specify which contacts can get the updates. This feature seems to be in line with Mark Zuckerberg’s push to prioritize video content as they try to drive video ad revenue. It’s something that WhatsApp can now take advantage of as it changed its privacy policy to basically allow business to show ads to users. Now, we have to see if this makes it out of beta.

Source: TechCrunch

Facebook might be venturing into e-sports

Facebook is leaving no stone unturned in the online world. According to The Information, Facebook plans to delve deeper into the world of professional gaming. They have partnered with the likes of Activision Blizzard to bring daily content to its Live streaming service. Now, they are supposedly holding “extensive talks” with Super Evil Megacorp, the developer behind mobile e-sport game Vainglory. Facebook reportedly wants them to stream professional matches on its platform. According to Kristian Segerstrale, chief operating officer of Super Evil Megacorp, the deal isn’t set in stone just yet.

The report also claims Facebook is holding talks with Activision as well to stream more e-sport competitions on Facebook’s platform. Facebook has been pushing its Live platform intensively since it launched last year. It makes sense they want to go up against the likes of Twitch and YouTube for a slice of the professional gaming pie.

Source: Engadget

Facebook tests out another Snapchat-like feature within its main app

Facebook seems so keen on taking Snapchat’s young audience as it keeps trying to replicate the app. This time instead of releasing a separate app, Facebook is trying out Snapchat-like features with the main app. Much like Snapchat, the app will now have a built-in camera with disappearing messages will be live for 24 hours. It has optional special effects, too. And you don’t even need to open Messenger to send these photos and videos to your Facebook friends. The test is currently only running in Ireland and there is no word yet if this’ll make it out of Ireland and past the testing phase.

Source: Recode

Facebook wants to keep bullies away with Safety Center

While Facebook activities were initially made to connect family and friends, the social network isn’t immune to online bullies and trolls. Facebook hopes to help out in this respect with the Safety Center. The site shows things like how to share posts with a limited audience or privately, report abuse, and even enable two-factor authentication. It might not be the perfect solution for solving a terrible issue but at least it’s a start. And it’s something you might want to check out if you aren’t familiar with the tools Facebook offers here.

Source: Lifehacker