Twitter adds private group messaging, new video

Twitter, which gets its juice from public commentary, is making it easier for you to have private conversations.

Direct messages between two users have been around since the start. Now Twitter is adding the capability to share private messages with up to 20 users at a time, and they don’t have to all follow each other in order to take part.

“Many of you use direct messages to reach the people and brands you’re only connected to on Twitter,” product manager Jinen Kamdar wrote in a blog post Tuesday. “The ability to converse privately with groups gives you more options for how and with whom you communicate on Twitter.”

Twitter also is rolling out new functionality so users can record, edit and share 30-second videos without leaving the Twitter app. Twitter for iPhone users will be able to upload video from the camera roll too. The feature is being worked on for Android devices.

“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,” Kamdar wrote.

The video capability will roll out over the next few weeks for most of us. Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris on Tuesday posted the first Twitter video: