Slingshot Blog

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Introducing Explore

Since the release of Slingshot 2, we have been inspired by all the amazing and creative photos and videos being shared. As we grow, many have asked for an easier way to discover other creative people around the world. We wanted to do this in a fun way that puts the focus on people and helps create new connections within our community.

Today we're excited to introduce Explore.

Explore is a place to discover funny, inspiring and creative people from across the globe. It features popular people who are active on Slingshot. You can view their shots and then decide who you want to follow. If you don't want to be featured in Explore, you can turn on Approve Followers in Settings.

Get Slingshot in the iOS and Android app stores at http://sling.me/download.

@Slingshotcrew

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Introducing the New Slingshot

With Slingshot we originally set out to create a place where you could share real, raw moments with your friends. Since we released the first version we have been listening to all of the great feedback from our community and have been cranking away at a big update that we’re super excited to release today. The new Slingshot: share life as it happens. We understand that improving a product isn’t only about what you add, but about what you remove, so we made a simpler, cleaner, more fun Slingshot. Here’s what’s up in the new Slingshot: The Fastest Way to Share Rich, Raw Moments Now with just two taps you can share fullscreen photos and looping videos. We’ve also introduced five photo filters alongside drawings and captions.

See the Freshest Shots from the People You Follow Every time you pull down the camera you’ll see a grid of the most recent content from the past day — shots only stick around for 24 hours or until they’re swiped away. We've also made it easier than ever to move between shots, reactions, people and the camera with our new swipeable tab design.

Reply to Any Shot with Private Photo and Video Reactions You can now filter, draw on and caption reactions for more personal and creative conversations. Also, just like with the regular camera, you can now preview reactions before sending.

Keep in Touch with Friends and Follow Awesome Creators Around the World Find friends and check out the Explore sheet to follow hilarious, inspiring and rad people around the world. You can always choose to manually approve each follower request if that’s your jam. Also, turn on instant notifications for your favorite people to get notified whenever they sling a shot.

Relive Your Day and Share Your Favorite Moments Out to Other Apps You can now swipe through all the shots you've slung in the past day and share them out to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and many other apps. And Much, Much More We've made a number of improvements around the app to make it faster, more reliable and more delightful. Take it for a spin to see for yourself! We wanted to thank everyone for the feedback you've given us — You've helped us shape Slingshot into something we're so excited to release today. The new Slingshot is available on iPhone (iOS7+) and Android (Jelly Bean, KitKat and Lollipop). Try it out at sling.me/download! @Slingshotcrew

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Slingshot Crewview: Rocky

Hey there, Slingshot fans. We're bringing you a behind-the-scenes interview with one of our crew members. Our resident rep Rose sat down with Rocky, Slingshot's lead engineer, for our first Crewview.

-Who are you and how do you contribute to the Slingshot crew? I'm Rocky and I'm an engineer on the Android app. I wrote the original prototype of Slingshot, but now I focus more on the shot viewing experience — which includes reactions and swiping through shots. -What is your favorite part about Slingshot? I like how it helps you stay close to the people you care about through rich media. -How about your favorite shot to take or thing to sling? When I’m taking a shot of my environment, I like to do a walking tour of wherever I am. Anyone can take a picture of a donut on a plate, but I try to make it an experience.

  -How has Slingshot impacted you? Slingshot has enabled me to live more in the moment since that’s basically how the app works. [I’m] able to see a more genuine window into my friends’ lives. -What is one of (I know we all have more than one) the best shots you've ever received? The Andrei reaction because I was doing a normal face palm and he reacted with his hand and a look of rage on his face.

-If you had to “tap to react” to a brand new puppy, what would your reaction be? Video reaction of “awww” for fifteen seconds. -What's your go-to Slingshot pro-tip? Taking a short video so it loops in a funny way. My favorite one was when I was taking a selfie and my buddy Rich [reacted with a] punch. It looped to look like he kept punching me and I kept coming back for more. -Do draw sounds inspire you to dance? If so, what kind of dancing are we talking about? Yes. It’s a subtle, almost subconscious, shoulder dance. You don’t know you’re doing it and you don’t even really need the music to play. It’s engrained in all of us... -If you could sling a shot from anywhere in the world, where would it be? Probably Antarctica for a video of a penguin sliding down a hill. *

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Slingshot Spotlight: posteraday

   This is the first of our Slingshot Spotlight series, where we'll be highlighting awesome members of the community for you to follow on Slingshot!

Who to follow: posteraday

Simon, the guy behind posteraday, brightens our day with his rainbow works of art, and we know that he'll add color to yours too. To follow Simon, add the username posteraday on Slingshot then send him a hello shot!

Want to be in the spotlight? Let us know! Share your shots with @slingshotcrew on Twitter and Instagram!

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Ready, Set, Update!

We're unlocking new ways to share with our latest update:

Sling a shot to see a shot? Not necessarily! After shooting a photo or video, now you can choose whether to sling it as a locked or unlocked shot

More bug fixes

Have ideas or feedback about Slingshot? Let us know! You can find us on Twitter and Instagram at @slingshotcrew or on Facebook. 

Get Slingshot in the iOS and Android app stores at http://sling.me/download.

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It Just Keeps Getting Better...

Slingshot, that is. New to the app? Seasoned fan? We'd like your feedback! Share your take with our team and help make Slingshot even better: on.fb.me/1rMwq1J

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Slingshot's Latest Update

Today we're releasing an update with a few tweaks we think you'll enjoy:

See all your unlocked shots grouped by person

On iOS you can now invite people to get Slingshot via SMS, email or another service like Facebook or Twitter

Tap a notification to go straight to your list of shots

Squashed more bugs!

If you have ideas or feedback about Slingshot, let us know! You can find us on Twitter and Instagram at @slingshotcrew or on Facebook.

And as always, you can find Slingshot in the iOS and Android app stores at http://sling.me/download

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Pro-Tip: Slingshot Your Phone!

  Behind every colorful pixel, there's a shot waiting to be revealed. Why not transform your lock screen with one of Slingshot’s pixelated shots? This pro-tip comes to you from Jake:

1. Screenshot any vibrant shot while it is loading2. Go to your phone’s camera roll and select the image, then set it as your wallpaper using the “lock screen” option3. Enjoy your new Slingshot home screen each time you unlock your phoneHave your own Slingshot pro-tip? Share it with @slingshotcrew on Twitter or Instagram. We’d love to hear from you!

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Introducing Reactions-to-Reactions and More

We’ve heard (and seen) how much people love reacting to shots in their feed. So why should the fun end after one reaction? Today we’re excited to announce that reactions to reactions are here! Starting today, you can reply to any reaction with a photo, video or text.

We’ve also improved ways to find people you know who are on Slingshot. With the introduction of My People, now you can see everyone you’re slinging with in one place at any time. We’ve made finding Facebook friends and phone contacts who are also using the app more reliable.

Since our international launch, it’s been great for us to hear from people about what they're loving and where we can improve. To everyone who has given us feedback so far: THANK YOU! Please keep it coming. We’re listening and working hard to make Slingshot as great as it can be. We’re happy about the latest changes and we’re looking forward to more.

Don't have Slingshot yet? You can get it in your iOS and Android App Store here http://sling.me/download

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Slingshot Dance Party

Some days you just gotta dance.

Join the dance party: http://sling.me/download

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Monday Morning Always Sneaks Up on You

SURPRISE!

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If you love color as much as we do, this is a Slingshot pro-tip you'll love: the rainbow drag & draw!

Here's how to make your shots as colorful as Joseph's technicolor dream coat:

1. After taking a shot, select "Draw"

2. Select a starting color and keep your finger on the selector (pro-pro tip? use your non-dominate hand to select the color)

3. Using your other hand, start to draw while dragging the color selector up and down

4. Voilà: RAINBOWS!

Even if you're not ambidextrous (we definitely aren't), you can sling some pretty trippy shots!

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Slingshot Goes International

Since we launched last week, we’ve heard from lots of people around the world who are excited to give Slingshot a try. Starting today, we're expanding our initial launch and making Slingshot available internationally!

You can find Slingshot in app stores around the world for iPhone (iOS7) and Android (Jelly Bean and KitKat) at http://sling.me/download.

This past week we've seen people share such terrific shots, face mashes and drawings. We can't wait for what happens next! 

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Introducing Slingshot

Today, we’re excited to launch a new app called Slingshot.

  With Slingshot, we wanted to build something where everybody is a creator and nobody is just a spectator. When everyone participates, there’s less pressure, more creativity and even the little things in life can turn into awesome shared experiences. This is what Slingshot is all about.

  Photos and videos that don’t stick around forever allow for sharing that’s more expressive, raw and spontaneous. We can connect the same way we like to live: in the moment. We’ve enjoyed using Snapchat to send each other ephemeral messages and expect there to be a variety of apps that explore this new way of sharing. With Slingshot, we saw an opportunity to create something new and different: a space where you can share everyday moments with lots of people at once.

To get started on Slingshot, shoot a photo or video. It can be what you’re up to, who you’re with or a quick selfie. Add some text and color, then sling it to a bunch of friends. Here’s the deal: friends won’t be able to see your shot until they sling something back to you. They can then reply with a reaction—or simply swipe your shot away. 

Using Slingshot has made us feel closer, and we can’t wait for others to try it out. It’s the second app from Facebook Creative Labs and is available today starting in the US on iPhone (iOS7) and Android (Jelly Bean and KitKat). Get it at sling.me/download 

Check back here for updates, tips and other cool stuff.

-Will, Joey, Rocky and the rest of the Slingshot Crew