Add Facebook to the list of apps that think you need another 'stories' feature

If things keep going at this rate, we're going to have a "stories" function in every dang app that exists.

If you've updated Facebook on your phone in the last couple days, you might notice the top portion of the screen now includes circles with your friends' faces in them. Like this:

That's the new Facebook stories function, and it works just like stories on Instagram (which works pretty much exactly like the stories on Snapchat).

It's the same deal as those other apps. Photos and videos in the public stories are viewable for 24 hours, and there's a direct option to send messages to friends that disappear after one watch – you know the deal by now, this isn't new.

Facebook also has a built-in camera now, with different filters and frames. So you can take photos from right within the app and share them immediately.

Another thing you'll recognize: Facebook is "partnering with brands" (aka selling ads) to provide certain "masks" within the camera app. Right now they've got deals with the movies Alien: Covenant, Despicable Me 3, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Power Rangers, Smurfs: The Lost Village and Wonder Woman.

So get ready for your mom and dad to ask you specifically how you're doing and if you've spoken to that longtime family friend recently – but now in public stories video form.