After an alleged accidental slip-up last week, Facebook is now
ready to unveil its newest mobile app that’s designed to let users fling photos
back and forth as a means of communication.
The app which is called Slingshot will allow users to
capture images using their smartphone and “sling” them to their contacts. However,
unlike other apps, the recipient will receive a locked image, which can only be
unlocked after he/she slings an image back to the sender.
Moreover, unlike its closest competitor Snapchat, Slingshot
is able to send an image to a user’s entire contact list. Users will also be
able to edit, add caption and even draw stuff on their images before sending.
Although this process can be a bit counter-intuitive, Facebook says it’s marketing the app not as a messaging platform, but rather something that can bring something new into the table. According to the company’s announcement, the app is designed to bring a more raw and spontaneous photo sharing experience.
For now the app is currently available to iPhone and Android
phone (Android Jelly Bean or KitKat) in the United States. There’s no word yet
on when Facebook will make the app available to other countries.
