Facebook just dropped a messaging app for couples

During a time of social distancing — where every couple is seemingly long distance unless they live together — Facebook launched an app for couples called Tuned.

Tuned, described as a "private space for couples" on the Apple App Store, is an online scrapbook-like app designed for the couple's eyes only. Though, as The Information reports, Facebook's data privacy still applies — so it's really for the couple's and Facebook's eyes only. Partners can connect their Spotify accounts, set moods, send photos and postcards and voice memos, and play around with stickers and reactions.

Tuned was developed by Facebook's New Product Experimentation (NPE) team, which was established last year to, as the name suggests, launch experimental apps. The only other current offering from NPE in the app store is Hobbi, an app focused on — you guessed it — hobbies.

A Facebook spokesperson told The Information that the app was released under NPE "to help set the appropriate expectations with users that NPE Team apps will change very rapidly and may be shut down if we learn that they’re not useful to people."

While the app's branding appears to be marketed towards the Gen Z crowd, Tuned will probably be of use to many who cannot see their loved ones right now. And, let's face it, we're all feeling more like teens right now anyway.

Whether the app was launched to help socially distanced couples or the timing was cosmic, Tuned appears to be an option for them to stay close.