Facebook self destructing photo and video sharing App 'Slingshot' released yesterday in USA, world wide release soon

Facebook creative Lab has designed and launched a new ephemeral messaging App called Slingshot on 17^th June 2014 in USA.Its a Photo and video sharing app, just like Snapchat and its going to give a tough competition for Cnapchat. Facebook. after acquiring Instagram and WhatsApp, it also tried buying SnapChat after it became popular among users for its self destructing sexting, but snapchat’s CEO Evan Spiegel refused a $3Billion offer according to the media reports.

Also Read Snapchat takes chatting to a whole new level with destructible instant messaging and video calls

Users of this new App, Slingshot, can send pictures and videos up to 15 second long and once the recipient views the message, it gets cleared up from inbox on its own. It works just like Snapchat with a little twist. The twist is that if recipient wants to see the picture or video sent, he/she needs to first send reply (Image/Video) back to the sender to unlock the message. This mechanism put into place by Facebook looks pretty complicated and it may turn off the users to an extent. But for the users who think privacy is a paramount priority, it’s the best way to be a safe online user. Popularity of the App is depends on whether the recipient will perceive the reply to unlock the message or not.

User can sign in to Slingshot like WhatsApp, i.e using their mobile number and connect with friends using phone book contacts or through Facebook contacts. I don’t have information about privacy of the user as I didn’t get the chance to venture out with App; it’s not yet available in India. As per the news, our assumption is App is available in USA for Android and iPhones. We haven’t received any information regarding global release but once the App's popularity picks up, Facebook will release it world over.

Last week Facebook launched the very same App  on App stores through some accident or mistake on engineers part but it was short lived joy for the users.  Because before anyone can venture out with it, App was gone. Facebook didn’t give any explanation for the premature accidental launch.

US users interested in Slingshot can download it for their iOS driven iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch from from Apple Store whereas Android users based in United States can download Slingshot from Google Play.