Facebook’s Lasso Gets Set to Take on Music Video App TikTok

The Facebook Lasso music video app can be downloaded on iOS and Android, but isn’t available in all regions as yet.

Facebook has silently launched a music video app that is a TikTok competitor. 

Photo: Facebook/Altered by The Quint

Facebook does not want to leave any space unoccupied. Keeping abreast with trends it has launched a music video app called Lasso that allows users to make and share short-format videos with filters and special effects.

Now where have seen that before? Remember Musical.ly? Well, that app got taken over by Chinese firm Bytedance that owns the popular 15-second music video app TikTok. This has become a rage with teens across the world and has got a leg up ever since Musical.ly merged with it.

"Lasso, FB's new short-form video app is now available in the US!" Facebook Product Manager Andy Huang tweeted. It’s on both IOS and Android, but it is not yet available in all regions.

Lasso has been made available to US users first as Facebook tries to compete with the likes of other similar platforms like Snapchat and YouTube. Nearly 69 per cent US teenagers use Snapchat, 72 per cent say they use Instagram and 85 per cent say they use YouTube, according to a CNET report.

Equipped with video-editing tools, the app allows users to add text as well as music to their videos. The social networking giant chose to roll out the app quietly, without any official announcement. All profiles and videos on the app would be public.

Videos created with Lasso can be shared on Facebook Stories. One can log in with Instagram or Facebook accounts on the app. The app allows users to record themselves singing / lip-synching popular songs or creating duets with others. One can then add filters and effects to put your own spin on videos.

(With inputs from IANS)