Twitter introduced a new feature for Vine that allows users to send video clips and messages privately with other users.
Twitter, the popular social networking site, launched the most-awaited feature on Vine that allows users to send messages and video clips privately without having to share it with the entire community. The introduction of private messaging is a significant move for the video-sharing app as now it can compete with rivals like Instagram and Snapchat, which already offer direct messaging feature to its users.
The new direct messaging feature, which is referred to as Vine messages, does not limit users to send and receive messages from personal address book. But an additional setting can help users to block strangers from sending looping six-second video-clips. Vine users can also record videos and send them to individuals or multiple people. Those on the receiving end can reply with their own text or videos instantly.
"From Vine's early days, we recognized that there was a growing desire and need for private messaging on Vine," Jason Toff, Vine Product Manager, wrote in an official blog post, Thursday. "We've watched the community come up with some clever ways to send videos to their friends as we've been working on this solution. Now you can privately send Vine videos and text messages to your friends. You can even send videos to anyone in your address book, even if they aren't on Vine."
To get started, select the new "Messages" option in the navigation menu and record a video to send it to other users privately. Although Vine allows users to send short-videos to multiple people, each conversation will be separate from one another, simply put; it will not create a group chat where all friends can see what messages are shared further.
Vine users can block strangers from sending Vine messages by selecting the house icon on the top and clicking "Profile" option in the drop box. Then select "Settings" and choose "Your content" towards the bottom. Disable "Open VM inbox" by clicking on the slider.
In addition to Vine messages, the latest update also brings theme customizations with different colors. The selected theme will be viewable be all other Vine users.
To enjoy the new features on Vine, download the latest version of the app for Android and iOS or just update the app if already installed.
