Facebook, Inc. FB has announced support for Apple’s AAPL Live Photos. The format will now be visible on Facebook for iOS, albeit only for a small number of users for now. The social media giant appears to be preparing for a wider rollout in early 2016.
Live Photos is nothing but GIF-like pictures that move when touched. Apple had launched this innovative feature in Sep 2015 when it released the iPhone 6S range.
With Facebook extending support for the feature, iOS users (though only with iOS 9 or above) will be able to view these motion pictures. However, not all iOS users can upload them. Only those with iPhone 6s devices will have the privilege.
Facebook has kept the uploading option quite simple and user friendly. Live Pictures can be uploaded just like any other picture. Only a small icon needs to be tapped to make Facebook understand the difference.
This feature will no doubt enhance the user experience on Facebook, but it is equally (or perhaps more) important for Apple. This is because though Apple had made this novel feature available, the photos could not be shared on social networks, thereby reducing the appeal for users.
Last month Yahoo’s YHOO Tumblr had enabled support for Live Photos. But it is of much more significance when it comes to Facebook. In fact, given the speculations regarding declining iPhone sales, this move by Facebook is a positive for Apple.
It is a win-win situation for these two tech giants. It gives Facebook an edge over its prime competitor Twitter TWTR.
Facebook is a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) stock.
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