Merely a couple of weeks after buying out the competition with the billion dollar purchase of Instagram, Facebook launched its very own camera app, very similar offering for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users back in May.
Much like its new acquisition, it allows users to take photos, add a filter from the select list, and then post said image to the social networking site. Facebook being Facebook, it allows users to upload images in batches, but aside from that, works in much the same manner as the app-based alternative.
Said app has just been updated, adding a new screen name, as well as plugging some lingering reliability issues. When it comes to a reliable app, Facebook has proven time and time again that the "R" word is simply not its forte, thus I’m not surprised to see such a speedy attempt to avoid another disastrous app.
Some users have experienced upload issues, but that shouldn’t be the case any longer, and version 1.0.2 now offers a "better explanation about location services access," which, simply put, means Facebook doesn’t want to get caught logging your details without your permission.
The home screen name of the app is now "Camera•", which was deemed a necessary enhancement, while the release notes also suggest the app functions better when location services are turned off.
Clearly, there’s still plenty of work to be done with the Camera app, although I cannot help but feel that given the purchase of Instagram, Facebook’s initiative in driving this app forward may lose a lot of momentum.
There’s certainly nothing particularly wrong with buying out the competition, but I cannot personally get my head around why Zuck and his team are still so keen to bring this app to the masses.
Sure, Instagram users would rebel if Facebook began dripping that blue paint over their precious app, but this seems a pretty elaborate way to preserve Instagram’s own identity.
You can download the updated version of the Facebook Camera App via the link provided below.
Download Facebook Camera for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch [iTunes link]
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