Facebook Live will soon have support for an app it acquired earlier this year called MSQRD. In the weeks to come, users can play around with filters similar to Snapchat while livestreaming from the live video platform.
The social media giant purchased the iOS app, which places effects over faces using facial recognition, in March. Masquerade allows users to record video selfie animations by applying filters in real time. Built by Eugene Nevgen, Sergey Gonchar and Eugene Zatepyakin, the Belarus-based app will continue to exist as a standalone app while its technology is integrated into Facebook.
"At Masquerade, we’ve worked hard to make video more fun and engaging by creating filters that enhance and alter your appearance," wrote Nevgen in a blog post at the time. "Now, we’re excited to join forces with Facebook and bring the technology to even more people. Within Facebook, we’re going to be able to reach people at a scale like never before."
Other updates to be rolled out in the near future include allowing live streamers to let a friend “drop in” on a broadcast. There will also be waiting rooms and pre-scheduled broadcasts coming soon as well.
Facebook Live launched in August 2015 to a select group of celebrities and later rolled out to the general public in over 60 countries. Several updates this year have added new features like streaming in Facebook Groups and Events, along with interactive elements like live reactions and filters. For desktop users, the social media platform released Facebook Live Map -- an interactive map visualizing searches for public live broadcasts, enabling users to explore content from around the world.
