Facebook's Snapchat Mimicry Reaches Dizzying New Heights with WhatsApp 'Status' Update
 |
| ABC News |
Instead, they've introduced not one, but two new updates, both of them inextricably linked to Snapchat. The first was reported on Monday, an update to the Facebook app, allowing users to send photos and videos directly from the camera screen. That's exactly what Snapchat does, but you can give a bit of leeway there as plenty of other photo apps are doing the same thing.
The second update leaves no room for leeway: WhatsApp's 'Status' feature, which previously allowed users to post a 'status' which all their contacts could see, much like you can on Skype, Google Hangouts or wherever else. Now, you can use the feature to send out pictures, with the option of drawing on them or adding stickers, and send them out to everyone on your list. After 24 hours, they vanish.
In this sense, it's almost a top-to-bottom clone of Snapchat Stories, and it's not even the first clone of Snapchat Stories Facebook have created, there's one on Instagram too. It's called Instagram Stories. Did I miss hearing about some manner of incident when someone broke into Menlo Park and stole everyone's imaginations?
There is one key difference: end-to-end encryption. It's the feature that WhatsApp have been using as their signature weapon for some time, the promise that your messaging data is always safely secured from outside attack, and it's the same here. Applying your own approach to a stolen idea doesn't make it any less stolen though, nor did it the last 16 times Facebook copied Snapchat.
The thing that really baffles me about this is that WhatsApp doesn't need to resemble Snapchat, WhatsApp doesn't have the same intended purpose, style or appeal as Snapchat, it's a separate and completely different platform. At the moment, it's just looking like a dumping ground for Facebook's more nefarious undertakings. Hopefully this will be the last time, but hope is a fickle thing.
Callum is a film school graduate who is now making a name for himself as a journalist and content writer. His vices include flat whites and 90s hip-hop. Follow him @Songbird_Callum
Contact us on Twitter, on Facebook, or leave your comments below. To find out about social media training or management why not take a look at our website for more info: TheSMFGroup.com
Facebook's Snapchat Mimicry Reaches Dizzying New Heights with WhatsApp 'Status' Update
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Monday, February 27, 2017
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Monday, February 27, 2017
Rating:
Unknown
Keeping you up to date on social media, digital marketing, apps, news & reviews. Social media, and digital marketing as a whole, are rapidly and constantly changing, adapting to new developments at an ever increasing rate. Just keeping up to date can be a nightmare. Our team of writers know their field, and keep an ear to the ground. We aim to keep you informed of all recent developments in the online world, and teach you a little something along the way. So whether you just want to stay connected, or gain some knowledge for yourself, the Social Songbird will keep on singing! More articles are posted every day so keep checking back! Join the discussion on Twitter - #SocialSongbird Or contact us directly - @SocialSongbird_
Entrepreneur, international speaker on Social Media Marketing. First one in the UK to write and speak in conferences about Twitter as a marketing tool. Consultant to Corporate Companies, Government Organizations, Marketing Managers and Business Owners.
Aspiring novelist with a passion for fantasy and crime thrillers. He hopes to one day drop that 'aspiring' prefix. He started as a writer and soon after he was made Executive Editor and Manager of the team at Social Songbird. A position he held for 5 years.
Adrienne is a passionate writer with experience in editing, content creation, and social media marketing. She’s a lover of animals, helping others improve their writing, and 2000s pop culture.
Musician, audio technician, professional tutor and a Cambridge university English student. Interested in writing, politics and obsessed with reading.
Recently graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Exeter, and he is about to study an MA in Journalism at the University of Sheffield. He is an aspiring journalist and novelist; in his free time he enjoys playing chess, listening to music and taking long walks through nature.
Lucy is an undergraduate BSc Politics and International Relations student at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Anna Coopey is a 4th year UG student in Classics at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She is a keen writer and researcher on a number of topics, varying from Modern Greek literature to revolutionary theory.
Ellie is a recent BA English Literature graduate and aspiring publisher with a passion for writing. Her favourite pastimes include reading and shopping.