Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR) has introduced a new feature that allows users to launch or access the Periscope app directly from its microblogging app.
The company launched a new button within the Twitter app to make it easier for users to launch live streams. The button is available for Twitter apps for both Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google Android users and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS users. The new feature means users on Twitter can quickly switch over to Periscope when the need to launch a live broadcast arises. The company began to roll out the feature a month ago, but the new announcement reveals plans to make it available to everyone.
The feature allows for an easy transition from the Twitter app to Periscope, but it does not support a reverse feature to get back to Twitter once the live broadcast is complete. The firm has been investing heavily in live video streaming features. This is because live videos are trending as an avenue for businesses, celebrities and regular people to gain an audience, share events or promote them. Rival firm Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has also been venturing into live video streaming.
The button on the twitter app works as long as the users have the Periscope app installed on their device. In case Periscope is not there, clicking the button conveniently takes the user to the App Store or Google Play depending on the OS. Periscope was introduced based on a similar live video streaming app called Meerkat. The latter is reportedly working on a new project but it has remained silent about it, and no details have been released. The company that made the app is reportedly working on a different business model because of the competition it has faced from Facebook Live and Periscope.
Periscope provides streaming options where the user can decide to make the live video available to the public or a tailored private demography. The length of the video is also unlimited but keeping it short is advised in order to attract an audience.