Facebook could be looking to push its users towards creating more image and video content for the social network, by creating a new camera app, according to reports. A group with Facebook called the "friend-sharing" team has allegedly created a prototype app that opens to the camera directly, so users can quickly take a photograph and upload it to the social network, or stream video to other users using
Facebook Live, with as little effort as possible.
Sources of the
Wall Street Journal claim the app is intended to "spur creation" on Facebook, countering the effects identified in an earlier report claiming "original broadcast sharing" was down 21 percent last year compared to the same point in 2014. Another research group found 37 percent of users surveyed this year claimed to have uploaded or shared their own photos in the last month, with 33 percent updating their profile status within the same timeframe. A similar poll last year recorded 44 percent of respondents updating their profile status in the last month, and 46 percent sharing and uploading photographs.
The new prototype could fit in among an ever-growing collection of apps Facebook already owns, but with a more basic purpose. While users can certainly upload content to Facebook, the prototype suggests it is removing any extra steps needed to do so, making it easier for users to immediately share with others. Though it sounds similar to Instagram, the new app may decide to leave out extras such as editing and filters, simplifying things further.
A Facebook representative declined to comment about the reported app.
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