Twitter adds video, group chat features on micro-blogging site

A user on Twitter. PHOTO | FILE |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By ANNIE NJANJA

In Summary

• Group messaging service allows multiple Twitter users to have conversations privately, with a maximum of 20 participants per group.

Twitter has added mobile video and group messaging services to give users new experience on the platform, just months after the social media site announced that it plans to roll out several new features.

The video feature will enable users to capture, edit and share live events with followers on Twitter. It will allow users of iOS-enabled devices — iPads and iPhones — to share videos of up to 30 seconds. Users on Android-based devices are expected to access the service at a later date.

“We designed our camera to be simple to use so you can capture and share life’s most interesting moments as they happen,” said Jinen Kamdar, product director in a statement posted on Twitter’s blog. “In just a few taps you can add a video to unfolding conversations, share your perspective of a live event, and show your everyday moments instantly, without ever having to leave the app.”

Group messaging service allows multiple Twitter users to have conversations privately, with a maximum of 20 participants per group, the company said. Previously, direct messaging only allowed two individuals who follow each other to chat.

In the new feature, members do not have to necessarily follow one another to chat in a group. Members of a messaging group will receive a notification upon being added to a group conversation.

“Many of you use direct messaging to reach the people and brands you are only connected to on Twitter. Whatever the case may be, the ability to converse privately within a group gives you more options for how and with whom you communicate on Twitter,” said Mr Kamdar.

Despite the launch of the new service, the features will not be available to users immediately as the company is gradually rolling out the service to the 248 million subscribers spread all over the world. The process is expected to take the next few weeks, Mr Kamdar said.

Including features that are already on Facebook, the move by Twitter aims to attract new users, maintain the ones who are already active on the platform and drive Internet marketing.