Periscope Update Allows Users to Sign Up with Phone Number

As Meerkat and Periscope battle for the lead in live broadcasting via smartphones, Periscope is rolling out a version 10.4 update to make it easier for users to sign up. No longer requiring a Twitter account, users can now use the streaming app by simply entering a phone number. However, Periscope still recommends that Twitter users sign up for the app through its microblogging service since it is easier to identify other interesting users to follow. The update also makes it easier to reply to comments during a broadcast.

Periscope_Twitter_App“We made it easier to reply to somebody’s comment during a broadcast,” explains Periscope. “Tap the comment, hit the reply button, and you’ll automatically be presented with a response including that person’s @handle. Replies that mention you will appear with an arrow.”

According to Periscope, the update also makes it easier to change profile pictures and to block users.

“When a broadcaster blocks a participant during their broadcast, a message is posted to the chatroom indicating that the block occurred. We think this adds an important layer of transparency and accountability to the comments in a broadcast.”

Twitter acquired Persicope earlier this year. The app is currently only available for iOS, although an Android version is in development (Meerkat recently launched an app for Android).

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