Twitter on Monday introduced the ability edit and refine user-uploaded photos by adding color filters, a move that sharpened its rivalry with Facebook. Available in the latest versions of Twitter for iPhone and Twitter for Android, the feature allows Twitter users to enhance the images they tweet. The filters and effects are powered by Twitter's partner, Aviary.

Twitter is offering users eight filters, ranging from black & white to vintage. A bird?s-eye view is also available, allowing users to see how each filter would affect their photo in a single grid view, or swipe through looks to compare their options.



Twitter's filters mimic the popular feature that has defined Instagram, the photo service acquired by Facebook this year for $715 million.

Twitter's new release came days after Instagram said it would no longer allow Twitter to display Instagram photos within Twitter messages. According to Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom, the reason was to drive visitors to Instagram's own website.