Facebook shuts down Slingshot and Riff apps, closes Creative Labs division

Facebook is doing some internal housecleaning, as it has confirmed two of its stand alone Android apps have been removed from Google Play. In addition, the company has decided to shutter its Creative Labs division, which was supposed to allow its employees to help develop new and innovative apps.

The two Android apps that are affected by Facebook's shut down are the Snapchat-like messaging app Slingshot and the video sharing app Riff. Facebook has also closed versions of those apps for iOS, along with another one, the group messaging app Rooms, that was never released for Android. CNET got the official word of their shut down:

"Since their launches, we've incorporated elements of Slingshot, Riff and Rooms into the Facebook for iOS and Android apps," a Facebook spokeswoman said. "We haven't updated these apps in some time and we've decided to officially end support by removing them from the App Store and Google Play."

Facebook says that even with the closing of Creative Labs, it still plans to release experimental new apps in the future.

Source: CNET

John Callaham