Facebook Launches its Own Version of Snapchat, Called Poke

MacRumors · Dec 21, 2012, 03:08 PM

When Snapchat launched a video update last week, AllThingsD reported that Facebook was planning on releasing its own photo and video sharing app to compete with Snapchat. Facebook's new standalone app, Facebook Poke, was released today, expanding on Facebook's original "poke" concept.

After connecting to Facebook Poke with a Facebook account, users can take a video or photo, write a message, or send a standard poke notification to friends who are also Facebook users. Each message lasts only a few seconds before expiring, after which time it is no longer visible.

If a screenshot is taken, users are notified with a bright orange icon on the feed, which is the same functionality found in Snapchat. Users can browse through sent messages in Poke by tapping and holding on a message.

Media sent via Facebook Poke is not visible in the standard Facebook app, but people will get a Facebook notification to download Facebook Poke to see Poke messages. Like the rest of Facebook's apps, Poke has a menu for reporting inappropriate content.

Facebook Poke is a free download on Apple's App Store. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Facebook Launches its Own Version of Snapchat, Called Poke

Prof. · Dec 21, 2012, 03:10 PM

The hell...?

kjs862 · Dec 21, 2012, 03:12 PM

Wow, sexting gone mainstream.

bassfingers · Dec 21, 2012, 03:13 PM

Facebook is bloated and dying. It's got 18 months left before its replaced by something clean and simple

Prof. · Dec 21, 2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjs862

Wow, sexting gone mainstream.

I have my mouse on the "Unfriend" button already.

Johnny Vegas · Dec 21, 2012, 03:15 PM

This is great! I have so many Facebook friends that I've always wanted to poke.

~JV

Cougarcat · Dec 21, 2012, 03:18 PM

Really sad we lost a great Mac developer (Acrylic) to make...this.

charlieegan3 · Dec 21, 2012, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjs862

Wow, sexting gone mainstream.

Just crazy isn't it...

ingramLee · Dec 21, 2012, 03:34 PM

The quote reads "If you didnt do it first, do it better." Seems like they've missed the mark.

farleysmaster · Dec 21, 2012, 03:55 PM

I do not understand what the app is. Like texts but they disappear after 5 seconds? Why?

iwan073 · Dec 21, 2012, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfingers

Facebook is bloated and dying. It's got 18 months left before its replaced by something clean and simple

You mean Google Plus

farleysmaster · Dec 21, 2012, 04:09 PM

I've just tried this app between my phone and my wife's phone. It's mad! Why does it exist?

olowott · Dec 21, 2012, 04:13 PM

Whats up with Facebook

Cant you guys hide till next year

ritsard · 04:35 PM

Is this like the Slow Poke feature Andy Samberg was talking about during the F8 Keynote? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48uM4lfVooM

akislot · Dec 21, 2012, 05:10 PM

These apps are perfect for politicians or actually anyone in an affair. They can send their junk to their interns and know it won't end up anywhere else... Until Facebook screws up and they end up showing up in the Timeline.

bushido · Dec 21, 2012, 06:15 PM

i dont get the point ... ?

avanpelt · Dec 21, 2012, 10:08 PM

This will likely be quietly shelved in a few months. I'm sure it's just an experiment by Facebook to see if it takes off; and I doubt they really expect it to be a success. With a name like "Poke"? C'mon! For a second I thought I had pulled up the Onion!

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacRumors

Each message lasts only a few seconds before expiring, after which time it is no longer visible.

They left the last part out: "...but it will be stored on Facebook's servers indefinitely."

shurcooL · Dec 22, 2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushido

i dont get the point ... ?

Insight about it here:

https://twitter.com/dcurtis/status/282286906929197057

SnowLeopard OSX · Dec 22, 2012, 10:10 AM

I'm interested to see how well this Facebook Poke application stacks up against SnapChat -- both interesting ideas, but I wonder how practical it'll actually be.

shurcooL · Dec 22, 2012, 10:11 AM

Btw, I tried it, but I have an issue where not all my Facebook friends are visible in this app. What gives?

jj47 · Dec 22, 2012, 10:14 AM

Why won't Facebook die already?

Glassed Silver · Dec 22, 2012, 12:54 PM

If I can't save the videos, pics and whatever else you can send via that app to my device, then don't even bother sending me anything.

I'm a log-addict. If it's unlogged, I won't use it.
My only exception is Steam's chat, just for conversing which game to play together though, so yeah...

Glassed Silver:mac

psxndc · Dec 22, 2012, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farleysmaster

I've just tried this app between my phone and my wife's phone. It's mad! Why does it exist?

Literally, for sexting. Any racy photos you take and send are viewable for a short time and then gone. Snapchat has a feature that notifies you if the person takes a screenshot too I think. Seriously, I can't think of any other application.

deannnnn · Dec 22, 2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfingers

Facebook is bloated and dying. It's got 18 months left before its replaced by something clean and simple

People have been saying that for years.

Dagless · Dec 23, 2012, 11:18 AM

I'd like Facebook to stick around, but I'm worried nonsense like this might end up killing it.

I love Facebook for keeping in touch with my family (I live away and we all have hectic lives, emails are good but a "forum" atmosphere like Facebook is great), and old buddies from school. Never touched an app on Facebook - never will.
I guess I have magic powers for being able to see the benefits in it!

Dec 21, 2012, 03:08 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Facebook Launches its Own Version of Snapchat, Called Poke When Snapchat launched a video update last week, AllThingsD reported that Facebook was planning on releasing its own photo and video sharing app to compete with Snapchat. Facebook's new standalone app, Facebook Poke, was released today, expanding on Facebook's original "poke" concept. After connecting to Facebook Poke with a Facebook account, users can take a video or photo, write a message, or send a standard poke notification to friends who are also Facebook users. Each message lasts only a few seconds before expiring, after which time it is no longer visible. If a screenshot is taken, users are notified with a bright orange icon on the feed, which is the same functionality found in Snapchat. Users can browse through sent messages in Poke by tapping and holding on a message. Media sent via Facebook Poke is not visible in the standard Facebook app, but people will get a Facebook notification to download Facebook Poke to see Poke messages. Like the rest of Facebook's apps, Poke has a menu for reporting inappropriate content. Facebook Poke is a free download on Apple's App Store. [Direct Link] Article Link: Facebook Launches its Own Version of Snapchat, Called Poke
	0

Dec 21, 2012, 03:10 PM	#2
Prof. macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago-ish...	The hell...? __________________ This year, everyone I know is getting married. Me? I'd be thrilled to be asked to go to Taco Bell by a semi-attractive male.
	2

Dec 21, 2012, 04:13 PM	#13
olowott macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dundee, UK	Whats up with Facebook Cant you guys hide till next year __________________ 2011 13" Macbook pr-- iPhone 4s 16gb -- iPAD 2 32gb
	0

Dec 21, 2012, 04:35 PM	#14
ritsard macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2009	Is this like the Slow Poke feature Andy Samberg was talking about during the F8 Keynote? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48uM4lfVooM __________________ ritsard go ahead dream it, i will make it come true Last edited by ritsard; Dec 21, 2012 at 04:35 PM. Reason: forgot a word
	0

Dec 21, 2012, 06:15 PM	#16
bushido macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germany, Europe	i dont get the point ... ? __________________ '13 MacBook Pro Retina 2.5 GHz '13 MacBook Pro 2.54 GHz, C2D, 128GB SSD iPhone 5 (white & silver), 16GB iPad 3 white, 32 GB, Wifi+Cellular Apple TV 3
	3

Dec 21, 2012, 03:12 PM	#3
kjs862 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2004	Wow, sexting gone mainstream.
	11

Dec 21, 2012, 03:13 PM	#4
bassfingers macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2010	Facebook is bloated and dying. It's got 18 months left before its replaced by something clean and simple
	7

Dec 21, 2012, 03:15 PM	#6
Johnny Vegas macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2011	This is great! I have so many Facebook friends that I've always wanted to poke. ~JV
	2

Dec 21, 2012, 03:18 PM	#7
Cougarcat macrumors 601 Join Date: Sep 2003	Really sad we lost a great Mac developer (Acrylic) to make...this.
	2

Dec 21, 2012, 03:34 PM	#9
ingramLee macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York, NY	The quote reads "If you didnt do it first, do it better." Seems like they've missed the mark.
	0

Dec 21, 2012, 03:55 PM	#10
farleysmaster macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland	I do not understand what the app is. Like texts but they disappear after 5 seconds? Why?
	0

Dec 21, 2012, 04:09 PM	#12
farleysmaster macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland	I've just tried this app between my phone and my wife's phone. It's mad! Why does it exist?
	0

Dec 21, 2012, 05:10 PM	#15
akislot macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2007	These apps are perfect for politicians or actually anyone in an affair. They can send their junk to their interns and know it won't end up anywhere else... Until Facebook screws up and they end up showing up in the Timeline.
	1

Dec 22, 2012, 10:10 AM	#19
SnowLeopard OSX macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Southern California	I'm interested to see how well this Facebook Poke application stacks up against SnapChat -- both interesting ideas, but I wonder how practical it'll actually be. __________________ iPad 4th gen Black/ 32GB/ iOS 6.1.3 iMac G4 1.0 GHz/ 1.25 GHz PPCG4 (7445) iPod \|Classic Black/ 80GB\|U2 edition 20GB iPhone \|4S White/16GB/ iOS 6.1.3\|3G White/16GB iOS 4.2.1
	0

Dec 22, 2012, 10:11 AM	#20
shurcooL macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2011	Btw, I tried it, but I have an issue where not all my Facebook friends are visible in this app. What gives?
	0

Dec 22, 2012, 10:14 AM	#21
jj47 macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2012	Why won't Facebook die already?
	2

Dec 22, 2012, 12:54 PM	#22
Glassed Silver macrumors 6502 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kassel, Germany	If I can't save the videos, pics and whatever else you can send via that app to my device, then don't even bother sending me anything. I'm a log-addict. If it's unlogged, I won't use it. My only exception is Steam's chat, just for conversing which game to play together though, so yeah... Glassed Silver:mac __________________ Last login: Sat May 5 22:52:51 on ttys000 Society-System:~ dumbnut$ rm -rf ~/Library/mind.db ~/Library/Frameworks/tolerance ~/Library/Frameworks/commonsense ~/integrity ~/individuality
	0

Dec 23, 2012, 11:18 AM	#25
Dagless macrumors Core Join Date: Jan 2005	I'd like Facebook to stick around, but I'm worried nonsense like this might end up killing it. I love Facebook for keeping in touch with my family (I live away and we all have hectic lives, emails are good but a "forum" atmosphere like Facebook is great), and old buddies from school. Never touched an app on Facebook - never will. I guess I have magic powers for being able to see the benefits in it! __________________ Maybe if everyone who'd ever been close to you had died, you'd be sarcastic, too. Also come join us Steam users!
	0

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