Facebook has just launched Notify, a new app that delivers real-time notifications about news and events.

Sounds sort of like Twitter right?

On Notice

Facebook announced the news in a blog post.

"Everyone has different interests, so whether you’re into sports, celebrities, news, movies, music or shopping, Notify makes it easy to find notifications you’re into with a broad selection of great “stations” across a variety of categories."

Subscribe

Notify works by letting users subscribe to "stations" that reflect their interests. The app also suggests stations based on your Facebook profile.

So far there are stations covering topics ranging from weather reports and fashion to sports, news, and movie trailers.

Twitter take-down?

Once you subscribe these stations send push notifications whenever they update. If you want to delve deeper you can swipe or tap to read full articles, visit featured sites or view videos.

Notifications can be shared via Facebook and the major social networks.

All the News that's fit to Like

Notify is the latest salvo as Facebook aggressively moves into the real-time news space, directly challenging Twitter's dominance in this area.

While past efforts haven't exactly set the world on fire (Facebook Hashtags and Rooms), Notify proves Facebook's pockets are deep and it will keep tinkering until it gets the special sauce just right.