Image Source: TechCrunch BY: NICHOLE CARTMELL ANCHOR: ZACH TOOMBS Facebook has unveiled a new version of its “poke” feature for mobile phones. But some note the app’s similarity to others on the market. WFMZ explains how this app will function. “The social network's new ‘poke’ app allows you to send messages, photos or videos, which will expire after a specific amount of time after being viewed. As soon as time runs out on the message the message will disappear and never be seen again.” According to Facebook , the poke feature has been around since 2004. The goal now is to be able to share with friends what you’re up to in a lightweight way. And if something uncomfortable is shared with you, Facebook says you can report it. But even with this feature a writer for CNET explains the app could become a sexting tool. “The poke is a leftover from Facebook's dorm room days. The new mobile Poke takes the sexual innuendo to another level and may get Facebook more mobile traffic, if sexting app Snapchat's performance is any indication.” Speaking of Snapchat... a tech writer for CNN says the new Facebook program “shamelessly” imitates the picture and video-sharing app that has become popular among iPhone users. “It's no mystery why Facebook is jumping on the temporary message bandwagon. Snapchat says it has millions of users who send around 50 million messages a day. It is also popular with the highly valuable younger age group...” According to a writer for The Verge , Snapchat’s co-founder and CEO doesn’t have much to say. In a statement he said, “Welcome, Facebook. Seriously.” And this should sound familiar... Apple used the same headline in a full-page Wall Street Journal ad in 1981, which said “Welcome, IBM. Seriously.” But Facebook’s co-founder Mark Zuckerberg appears to be directly behind the new app. TechCrunch explains Zuckerberg first invented poking back in 2004. He is said to have actually written the code for the new program and is even the voice behind the poke sound when a user receives a message. (SOC) ###