Is Facebook creating a Snapchat copycat again?

Snapchat might have rejected Facebook's $3 billion acquisition offer, but it seems the social network's response is "if you can't join them, beat them." Facebook is reportedly creating a photo-sharing app of its own.

According to CNET, new reports suggest the social media giant might be developing a Snapchat copycat called Slingshot, to be released as early as this month. Sound familiar?

Well, Facebook already attempted a clone app that lasted just about as long as the infamous self-destructing text that made Snapchat so unique. Poke, as it was called, was removed from the App Store earlier this month. (Via YouTube / AppFind)

Poke essentially had the same functions as Snapchat that allowed a user to send a friend a photo or video that disappeared after a designated time limit. But as a writer for The Verge puts it, "It takes more than a few talented engineers to beat Snapchat."

Facebook has yet to comment on the report or even publicly announce its new, not-so-secret venture. But we're pretty sure we can guess what Slingshot will be all about.

Tossing an image or video to a friend, who has just a few seconds to look at it before it disappears into the unknown regions of the photo-sharing universe. Or doesn't disappear, can we really be sure? (Via Snapchat, Slate)

But Facebook seems to have everything under control this time. According to Financial Times, Slingshot will resemble TapTalk.

It's a new video-messaging app that allows users to send a photo or video by tapping a friend's photo instead of a username. That photo or video will, of course, self destruct. (Via TapTalk)

There's a good amount of skepticism that Facebook will be able to pull all this off. Snapchat has recently unveiled new text messaging and video calling features that might help secure its top spot on app charts.