WATCH: Facebook rolls out new camera feature

FACEBOOK recently launched a trio of features for Android and iOS phone users. The effects include, new effects-filled camera (much like Snapchat); a place for you to share your stories which disappear over a period of time; and a way to share straight from your camera to your friends.

Connor Hayes, product manager at Facebook said  they wanted to make the features fast, fun and easy for people to share creative photos and videos with whomever they choose, for however long they choose.

“We’re starting to roll out a new camera with effects and two additional ways to share the photos and videos you take. Starting this week on iOS and Android, you can tap on the camera icon on the top left corner of the Facebook app or swipe right from News Feed to try out the new in-app camera.

“The Facebook camera is packed with dozens of effects like masks, frames and interactive filters that you can apply to your photos and videos. Reactive effects let you interact with dynamic objects — like falling snow — and style effects apply an artistic filter to your video in real time, letting you turn your everyday selfie into a Picasso-style work of art,” he said.

The story feature of the new Facebook update works similarly to Snapchat. The icon, ‘Your Story’, appears at the top of your screen and allows you to share your story to everyone or to people you want to share it with.

“The feature allows you to share multiple photos and videos as part of a visual collection on your News Feed. Your friends can view photos or videos from your story for 24 hours, and stories won’t appear on your Timeline or in the News Feed unless you post them there, too. You can also send a photo or video via Direct, your friends will be able to view it once and replay it or write a reply. Once the conversation on the photo or video ends, the content is no longer visible in Direct,” said Hayes.