Twitter is taking its Android app testing program even further today, with the launch of a new alpha testing group. The company launched a beta test group earlier this year, and since then it has used that group to experiment with a number of different changes to the app before offering them to the greater public.

TechCrunch reports that the alpha test group will see even earlier versions of Twitter's experiments with the app, and unlike the beta, users will be able to provide feedback to the Twitter developers through it. Alpha tests are not for the faint of heart — in our experience, even the beta test proved to be unreliable quite often. But if you're the type of user that doesn't mind an app crashing every now and then, the early test groups can give you a glimpse at the company's plans well before they roll out to the public. You also have the chance to influence development of the app through feedback to the developers.

Interested users can apply to be a part of the group on a first come, first served basis, and as with the beta, it seems that Twitter is limiting the number of people that can be a part of it. (Note: it seems that you have to search for the Google Group and then select it, which will then give you the option to apply to join it.)