MUMBAI: From a messaging app for Apple Watch to meme creator and discovery platform, Facebook is experimenting on several consumer-focused apps under a new team called ‘NPE Teams, from Facebook’. The new addition to the list is a music collaboration app, which allows content creators and fans to create, watch, and mix and match original music videos. Named Collab, the iOS app will be available through invite-based model. To request access, you need to sign up for a waitlist. Invites will be sent in batches, starting with people in the US and Canada.
The app’s first partner is NASCAR, one of the first major US sporting organisations to start its events again, with the Supermarket Heroes 500 having started on 31 May from Bristol, Tennessee.
“As NASCAR makes its return to action over the coming weeks, Venue will provide users with a unique and exciting way to connect with fellow race fans from around the globe – all from the safety and comfort of their own homes. NASCAR was built on innovation, and we couldn’t be more excited to help a great partner like Facebook’s New Product Experimentation team innovate around new platforms” said Tim Clark, SVP and Chief Digital Officer of NASCAR.
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The second app that Facebook has launched is Collab, an invite-only application which attempts to let “creators and fans to create, watch, and mix and match original videos” according to the social media giant.
“Collabs are three independent videos that are playing in sync. With the app, you can create your own arrangement by adding in your own recording or by swiping and discovering an arrangement to complete your composition. No musical experience is required,” said the NPE Teams, from Facebook in a blogpost.
The content created using Collab app can be published on other platforms, including Facebook-owned Instagram and Facebook Stories.
The Collab is not the first app from NPE Teams. This month itself, the team behind experimental apps rolled out two other apps – CatchUp and Hobbi.
The CatchUp app works like a Messenger; it helps you stay in touch with the people by showing if they are available to talk. However, unlike Messenger, the app does not auto set the availability. Instead, you need to indicate that you are available to talk and call.
The Hobbi app allows you to document, share and engage on the things that you love to do. The app lets user capture work progress, add notes, doodles and links to your sources of inspiration to remember the details. These moments are then organised into visual collections so you can revisit and reflect. You can share your activities with friends and family so that they can see each new update you make and give you the encouragement and feedback that you need to keep going.
These two new apps come days after Facebook announced yet another app called CatchUp which intends to help people know when their friends and family are available to talk.
Venue is a dedicated app for live streams, which have been on the rise due to the coronavirus lockdown. It intends to provide an interactive second-screen experience “curated by experts and centred on the pivotal moments of their favourite events”, according to the announcement, where short-form videos called “Moments” can be created and shared with viewers.
