First, it was Instagram, then WhatsApp, and now Facebook Messenger is rolling out a feature that is very much like Snapchat stories. Today, the social network is releasing a feature called Messenger Day, that mimics the 24-hour story format. Similar to the other 'story' features, Messenger Day lets users, post their picture or video through the highlighted 'sun' button in Messenger or click a picture and select 'add to your day'.
The functions and caveats remain the same as well. The story disappears after 24 hours and, up until then, users can add stickers and filters to the photo, see who has viewed their update, and reply to their friends' updates. They can add photos from their camera roll as well.
Facebook announced in a blog post today that the new update will be rolling out to users on iOS and Android globally.
For better privacy and security, users can make custom groups with whom they can share certain updates instead of keeping it public. According to TechCrunch, many other features available in Snapchat and other apps such as Face Swap and Paintbrush are missing in Messenger Day.
Recently, WhatsApp rolled out an update called WhatsApp Status that came with the nifty features similar to those available in Snapchat stories. With Facebook's latest update to Messenger, it joins the Snapchat cloning club, completing the trinity as it were.
Facebook co-founder and chairman Mark Zuckerberg had once offered to buy Snapchat for a reported price of $3 billion but last week Snap Inc. filed an IPO, taking the valuation of the company above $25 billion.