Twitter launches streaming app Periscope

Twitter has today launched Periscope, a live streaming app to allow users tostream from their phones to their followers for free.

In its blog post overnight Twitter said: "We watched someone rise above the Sonoma valley in a hot air balloon; we witnessed “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” directly from Ferguson, Missouri, a terrifying fire that erupted in San Francisco’s Mission district and a live performance from a pianist who played any song requested from the audience.”

Twitter actually acquired Periscope in January for a reported $100mand since Meerkat was made available in the App store for use on Twitterearlier this month, following a launch atSXSW's Interactive conference, eyes have been on Twitter to launch its rival.

Before Periscope's launch, Twitter had already stunted Meerkat's growth bydenying the appaccess to its social graph, so Meerkat users can’t automatically see who among their followersare already using it. WhilePeriscope isn’t directly builtinto Twitter(it’s its own app) itgives usersthe ability to watch recorded streams as well as live ones, opening up its userbase to musicians. The real test between the two however, will be to see which app musicians favour.

From today, Periscope is available on iOS with an Android version in the works.