And today in “companies taking their cues from Snapchat” news: Facebook Messenger will begin supporting live video. Now, users will be able to send a video feed to friends with the touch of a button.
From Facebook:
While both of you are viewing an open Messenger conversation, tap on the video icon in the top right corner to start sharing real-time video. Audio is off by default because sometimes you just need to see something, not hear it — but sound can easily be turned on if you choose. Your video will float over the active text conversation that you can continue while viewing the video. Your friend can watch your video stream and share a video back if they decide.
Snapchat has had a similar feature since an update back in 2014, and Google’s recently released app Duo also enables users with video-chatting. “Instant Video is a reflection of the ubiquity of video,” Facebook explained, but really this move feels more like a response to the ubiquity of Snapchat — which is quickly becoming the template for all updates on Facebook and its subsidiary, Instagram.
