Facebook today is officially rolling out its long-in-testing upgrade to the main Facebook mobile app on iOS and Android, bringing a number of changes focused on the addition of an all-new camera, filters, themed effects and "Facebook Stories." The company's 24-hour post Snapchat clone was reported to have launched a few weeks ago, but a Facebook spokesperson contacted MacRumors at the time and confirmed that the feature was still in testing ahead of a wide launch, happening today.

The new camera can be found in the top left of the Facebook app's main news feed, or users can swipe right on their news feed to open up the camera (similar to Instagram). Here users can take pictures and selfies using masks, filters, and "reactive effects," where they can interact with dynamic objects such as falling snow. Style effects apply a Prisma-like artistic filter onto an image in real-time.

facebook camera filters
Brands and advertisers are also joining in on the Facebook camera launch, with users able to take selfies using filters for upcoming films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Alien: Covenant, and Wonder Woman. Facebook said that the company will consistently update all of these effects in the camera "to give you fun new effects to explore," and even more customization is coming down the line as well.

Over the coming months, we plan to introduce new ways for the Facebook community to create their own frames and effects that can be used on any photo or video created with the new Facebook camera. Our goal is for the camera to be a home to hundreds of dynamic and fun effects that give you new ways to connect with friends, family, and your community.

We hope that with the new Facebook camera, Stories and Direct, it will be easier than ever to see the world through each other’s eyes, and we can’t wait to see the photos and videos you create. In the meantime, here’s one of my own in my tropical island disguise, hiding from work with my cat Ebi.

The launch of the Facebook camera on iOS and Android is also bringing Facebook Stories to the masses for the first time. The feature hasn't changed since it was originally in testing in January, or since it launched as Instagram Stories last summer: users can post images and videos, add silly effects and captions, and watch them disappear forever after a 24-hour period.

For users who don't want to share publicly, a new Direct option will allow Facebook friends to share the same disappearing posts directly to one another. When shared through Direct, a friend or family member will be able to look at the photo or video one time, replay it, and write a reply, but after that it'll be gone forever -- similar to Snapchat's own chat section.

Facebook can be downloaded from the iOS App Store for free [Direct Link], and the update should begin appearing for users throughout the day.

Top Rated Comments

OldSchoolMacGuy Avatar
103 months ago
wait are you serious? facebook can never do anything right anymore. this is disgusting what they are doing by trying to copying snapchat in every.single.way...
[doublepost=1490707445][/doublepost]What is wrong with this company, I'm almost ashamed of even using Facebook anymore.
I haven't updated my Facebook app for a few weeks now so hopefully I won't get all the features automatically pushed out...
That's awesome for you. Don't use Facebook if you like but your argument isn't supported by facts. The fact is that over 1.3 billion people use Facebook each month and that number of only growing. Claim that they can't do anything right but that hasn't stopped people from using it and the average use times are continuing to increase.

Facebook has implemented many Snapchat features into Instagram already. These features have seen usage of Instagram grow while Snapchat use has stagnated. The fact is, Facebook is slowly killing Snapchat right now and that was what my comment was based on.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
103 months ago
SNAP = Short Now And Profit
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aluminum213 Avatar
103 months ago
Snapchat needs to stop copying Facebook
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BvizioN Avatar
103 months ago
wait are you serious? facebook can never do anything right anymore. this is disgusting what they are doing by trying to copying snapchat in every.single.way...
[doublepost=1490707445][/doublepost]What is wrong with this company, I'm almost ashamed of even using Facebook anymore.
I haven't updated my Facebook app for a few weeks now so hopefully I won't get all the features automatically pushed out...
Facebook is unstoppable, it really won't make any difference whatsoever if few people decide to not update their app or delete it altogether. This company is only growing by day.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Aluminum213 Avatar
103 months ago
Sorry Facebook

You're not getting the kids back
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cloudkicker Avatar
103 months ago
Can we please talk about how childish you'd have to be to use these idiotic features.

Not just adults, teens, but even a 10yo should be intelligence enough not to be amused by this. You'd have to have the brain of a retarded lab mice.

Useless. Instead take a picture of a cloud in the shape of a boat, a dandilion, a freakin' pothole... Something productive that improves quality of life. Not some moronic SnapChat CGI dog tongue & face.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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