The Wall Street Journal reports Facebook is working on a new camera app separate from its main offerings that the company hopes will encourage increased sharing of photos and videos. The still in-development app in its current form opens immediately to a camera mode and there are plans to offer live streaming video functionality as well, according to the report:
Last month Facebook unveiled its latest product updates and upcoming projects at its F8 developer conference. For part of its presentation, the company talked up its new Facebook Live platform and plans to expand the rapidly growing live video component of Facebook by promoting it more to users across its various properties. That service could possibly tie-in to any live streaming video features the company might offer in the new standalone camera app reportedly in development. For Facebook Live, the company has a new API allowing app developers to build on the platform starting with popular drone maker DJI as the launch partner.
A prototype of the app developed by Facebook’s “friend-sharing” team in London opens to a camera, similar to disappearing photo app Snapchat, the people said. Another planned feature allows a user recording video through the app to begin live streaming, they added… People familiar with the matter said the camera app under consideration is also intended to spur creation. The content could then be shared to Facebook or its other properties, including Instagram.
Today’s report notes that the new standalone video app is still in early stages and there aren’t yet any plans for a release.
