Next up for Twitter: photo sharing? (updated)

Twitter is apparently working on a photo sharing feature that would directly compete with established photo-sharing services like Twitpic, according to a report by TechCrunch.

The service, which would provide a built-in method for Twitter users to post and share photos, is set to launch soon — “like tomorrow” — several sources told TechCrunch. Of course, now that this information has been leaked, that may change.

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Given Twitter’s current focus on developing features that steal away attention from third-party services, it’s not surprising that the company is taking on photo sharing. It’s not difficult to implement (at least, compared to what Twitter has already accomplished), and it would be valuable for the company to keep users within its own photo sharing service, rather than losing them to third parties.

But the service would likely cause further outcry among third-party developers, who are already feeling pressured by Twitter’s recent changes. Take for example the recent move towards OAuth logins, which many developers find unnecessarily complicated.

News of the new photo-sharing service follows Twitter’s drawn-out $40 million acquisition of Tweetdeck, one of the most popular Twitter third-party clients, with applications on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

There aren’t any other details about the service yet, but we’ll definitely keep you posted.

Update: All Things Digital has confirmed the news via its own sources. Twitter CEO Dick Costolo will announce the photo sharing feature on Wednesday at the site’s D9 conference.

Image via West McGowan