Twitter adds private photo sharing to DMs; mobile apps get new UI and more

Twitter rolled out updated Android and iOS on Tuesday to let users send pictures in direct, personal messages seen only by recipients instead of being shared publicly on the social network.

"For the first time, you can share and view photos via direct message on your mobile phone," Jeremy Gordon, the company's senior director of product engineering, wrote in a post on the Twitter blog.

"We've also introduced a new tab in the navigation bar that makes it easy to access direct messages they're just one tap away from wherever you are on Twitter."

The Instagram-style feature is in the latest Twitter applications tailored for Apple or Android smartphones, according to Gordon.

The Twitter apps for Android and iOS released on Tuesday come with a brand new design. Users can switch between the Home, Activity and Discover tabs by simply swiping in Timelines. The apps also make it easier for users to access their direct message (DMs).

Users can also choose to view Replies, Retweets, and Favorites from only the people that they follow. Further, users can also opt to receive Push Notifications from only select people.

"There are a bunch of other great updates in this release," Gordon said. "For example, on Twitter for iOS, new in-app notifications show you when people send you a DM or favorite, retweet and reply to your Tweets. And on Twitter for Android, you can easily turn on mobile notifications for specific users by tapping the star on their profile."

The updated Twitter mobile and tablet apps are now available from Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.

With inputs from AFP