Twitter launches its Instagram-style video play, Vine

You know you are in a social war when one company’s mission is to one up you at every turn. Last year, Instagram pulled Twitter cards, making it impossible to view Instagram photos on the microblogging platform. Twitter responded by introducing filters for photos and well, you get the idea.

Now it seems that Twitter will be introducing Instagram style video to the platform soon. If Dick Costolo’s tweet is anything to go by, soon could be any day now.

Steak tartare in six seconds. vine.co/v/bOIqn6rLeIDvia @dhof

— dick costolo (@dickc) January 23, 2013

How is Twitter doing this? Through, Vine, a video-sharing startup that Twitter bought last year.

Vine allows users to share short video clips quickly and effortlessly, and each video is no longer than six seconds. It works the same way Instagram does, as users following each other on the platform can explore other people’s videos and share them.

The startup’s website claims that it is “the best way to see and share life in motion. Create beautiful looping videos in a fun way, then share with your friends and family.”

Talking to the Financial Review about the possibility of a launch this week, Twitter editorial director Karen Wickre said “you’re talking about Vine … but no I don’t think [it’s being launched] quite yet.”

“But I’m not on the product side so I don’t know all the details.”

Twitter hasn’t said much about Vine or when it will launch. All that is clear is that there is major revamping going on as the startup’s site is only displaying a “coming soon” message: “The best way to see and share life in motion. Create beautiful looping videos in a fun way, then share with your friends and family. Coming soon.”

According to AllThingsD Vine will not be integrated on Twitter as part of the service but will be a standalone iOS app. Users who are interested can download it and get sharing.

So far it seems Vine will only be available for iOS users but if Twitter really wants to compete in the Instagram space, Android and perhaps Windows Phone BlackBerry 10 versions most likely will be released soon after the launch.

Update: Twitter has officially launched Vine.