Twitter for iOS Updated With a YouTube-like Minimized Player for Videos

[RaduTyrsina]

Vine wasn't the single important app that has received an update recently, as Twitter has also pushed an important change for iPad and iPhone users. The app now sports a minimized window that plays videos even while you’re browsing or using the app.

Twitter for iPhone and iPad users now comes with a minimized player for videos, but it is available initially for videos that are hosted on Twitter’s Amplify platform, which is also used for promoted video ads. Also, for the time being, YouTube videos, Vine clips, and other media are not yet supported.

Unfortunately, the feature appears to be available on Twitter for iPhone and iPod touch only, as it doesn’t show up on Twitter for iPad. But some recent tweets suggest that it'll make its way to Apple's tablet in the near future, as well. Here's how to check out the new feature for yourself:

To check out the new feature for yourself, open the Twitter app on your iPhone or iPod touch and view the tweet that served as the launch pad for the video for “A Place with No Name,” the new single from Michael Jackson’s new posthumous album, “XSCAPE.”

Tap the video thumbnail to launch the video in full screen. To minimize the video, tap the icon at the top right corner. The mini-player then settles into the bottom right corner, enabling you to browse the app while continuing to play the video. Just tap the mini-player or swipe it up to revert to full-screen view.

This new feature is similar to the minimized video player feature of YouTube for iOS, which was introduced to the app a year ago. Twitter’s mini-player works in portrait mode only, in the same way as YouTube does.

What's interesting is that the update wasn't mentioned on the app's official changelog, which means Twitter is either testing it or it will soon officially announce the new changes.

Source: AppAdvice