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Twitter adds livestreaming into iOS app, start broadcasting video from the compose tweet view

Twitter is rolling out a new feature into its native client app for iPhone and iPad. From today, users will be able to start video live stream broadcasts from within the Twitter app courtesy of a new integration with Periscope, which Twitter acquired in 2013.

To start a live video, open the tweet compose screen and tap the new “Live” button. You can frame your shot and then press Go Live to start broadcasting to the world. The feature is rolling out gradually over the next few days.

Periscope is being slowly enmeshed into the core Twitter experience. Earlier in the year, Twitter integrated Periscope viewing into the timeline. Now, users will be able to begin broadcasting Periscopes from within the Twitter app.

The live streams are really Periscope streams, so users on either Twitter or the Periscope app will be able to see the video. When live, viewers can leave comments and send hearts to interact with the streamer. Bringing video into the tweet compose will no doubt send usage of Periscope skyrocketing but perhaps at the cost of fewer text tweets.

Twitter seems to be positioning live video as an alternative mechanism to typing 140 character anecdotes, especially for major breaking news and events. A similar ‘Live’ button used to exist in the Twitter app but it really was just a shortcut that took users to the Periscope app; the new feature announced today is that all of the broadcast functionality has been integrated directly inside of the Twitter app — users are not required to install Periscope at all.

Find the new live video feature in the updated Twitter app, available as a free download in the App Store. The feature is going live for all users over the next few days.

https://twitter.com/twitter/status/809035848138178562

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Avatar for Benjamin Mayo Benjamin Mayo

Benjamin develops iOS apps professionally and covers Apple news and rumors for 9to5Mac. Listen to Benjamin, every week, on the Happy Hour podcast. Check out his personal blog. Message Benjamin over email or Twitter.


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