Tag: twitter blue

Twitter Blue users will be able to hide likes and subscribers number soon

The ongoing turmoil between Musk-owned Twitter and Zuckerberg-owned Threads seems to be taking an exciting turn daily. It is good to see that Twitter officials are not just busy complaining about how Threads is a plagiarised application but are also actively working on bringing valuable updates. At the time of the launch of Twitter Blue, Elon had promised that additional features besides just the checkmark verification will be launched soon. However, the promises did not translate to reality all this time except for a few features here and there like uploading longer videos. According to new reports, Twitter Blue subscribers will soon be able to hide the like button and also hide the number of subscribers from the audience.

New Twitter Blue features

Twitter’s like count has been public ever since its inception. The public likes count is in itself a viral trend as many users gain attention on the platform just by liking bizarre content. The ability to be able to hide the likes tab on your profile is no less than a blessing for some users who are habitual to dropping likes on odd content. The likes tab will only be visible to a user after they’ve disabled it. On the other hand, they will still be able to like and see the number of likes on posts from other users. One thing which is a matter of concern here is whether their likes will be public for general users, there’s no clarity on that as of now. Similarly, if a Twitter Blue user decides to hide the number of subscribers then only they can see the subscriber list on their profile.

The blue tick which was earlier limited to well-known personalities and organizations was deemed as a corrupt division between people by Elon Musk. This resulted in Musk launching the Twitter Blue subscription which allows users to get the verified status on their profile by paying a monthly fee. However, this has resulted in reduced traffic on the microblogging platform with many looking for an alternative.

Twitter Blue launched in India: Here’s everything you need to know

After months of anticipation and doubts about whether Twitter Blue will make its way to India, the premium membership service has finally landed. The controversial Twitter Blue subscription is now available in India where users can now access the company’s paid services by paying ₹650 per month for the website-exclusive platform, and ₹900 for iOS and Android users. Twitter was always known to be a microblogging platform but has been changing its course to becoming a full-fledged social media platform even offering ad revenues under Elon Musk’s leadership. So what is all the hype about? What does Twitter Blue offer to users who will shell out ₹900 per month? Check it out below –

Longer Tweets

A major appeal of Twitter revolved around users having a character limit of 280. However, with the Twitter Blue subscription, users can now send tweets up to 4,000 characters long. This feature also extends to quote tweets and replies. Users can also include media in their longer posts. Arguments on Twitter are undoubtedly going to turn spicy!

Fewer Advertisements

If someone is shelling out ₹900 for a Twitter Blue subscription then the least they can expect is a completely ad-free experience. However, that is not the case with Twitter Blue as they will see fewer ads than the people using the standard version. Under Musk’s Twitter leadership, ads have begun to show up under the replies section which is annoying, to say the least. But now you can pay nearly 1K every month to not see them.

Post Longer Videos

Earlier, users could only post videos up to 140 seconds on Twitter but with Twitter Blue, they can share videos up to 60 minutes. The option to post longer videos has been introduced in order to help content creators and live bloggers monetize their videos on Twitter. An interesting use of this new feature I witnessed on Twitter was users posting full-length movies broken down into two or more parts. I guess we’re watching films on Twitter now?

The verified checkmark

The predominant attraction of the Twitter Blue subscription is users getting the verified checkmark. Though I do not understand the appeal of the checkmark as clicking on it on a user’s profile reveals that it only exists cause the user has subscribed to Twitter Blue. If Twitter wouldn’t be snitching on users for basically buying the checkmark then it would’ve been a different ball game altogether. Besides the Blue tick, users also get access to features like editing tweets, bookmark folders, custom app icons, and NFT profile images.

 

 

 

Twitter rolling out grey tick marks for government accounts

Twitter has seen a number of changes ever since Elon Musk bought the micro-blogging platform for an exorbitant price ($44 Billion to be precise) After shelling out a fortune for Twitter, it was expected that Musk would bring about massive changes to the platform which started off with his promise of ‘Freedom of Speech’ which quickly turned sour as accounts criticising Musk and many journalists started losing their accounts left and right. Then came the Twitter Blue debacle where verified accounts were offered to users at a price of $8 per month. However, the subscription model was then rolled back and is still awaiting a relaunch. Until then, Twitter is figuring out ways to differentiate between legacy verified accounts and Twitter Blue subscribers. The solution? color-coded verified ticks!

Grey tick mark for government accounts on Twitter

Twitter has begun rolling out a grey tick verification mark for government accounts. Whereas, accounts affiliated with businesses have already received a golden tick mark. This new deployment of the grey tick mark has already been deployed for the honourable PM of India’s Twitter account.

It was back on December 12 when Twitter announced it would be changing the ‘official’ label on business accounts with a golden checkmark. While it also announced that grey checkmarks would be added to government and multilateral accounts, it was applied till now. PM Modi seems to be one of the first political figures around the world to receive the grey checkmark on Twitter.

This is one way to curb the increase in impersonation of popular people on Twitter. It was only a few weeks back when Twitter Blue launched a slew of accounts impersonating Elon Musk himself flooded Twitter, talk about a backfire! However, with drastic changes coming to Twitter, it will be interesting how the social media platform transforms under Musk’s leadership.

Elon Musk asks Twitter users if he should resign as CEO

There hasn’t been a dull day on Twitter ever since Elon Musk took command of the platform. Only a few days back, Musk stepped on the stage with Dave Chappelle in San Francisco to get brutally booed by people in the audience. It looks like the public booing has brought about a change of heart for Elon who recently took to Twitter and started a poll asking people if he should quit the Twitter CEO position.

Elon Musk’s CEO resign poll

Elon Musk recently took to Twitter and started a poll asking if he should step down as the head of Twitter. If the results are to be believed, it looks like Musk will be quitting the CEO position soon. He’s promised to abide by the results of the poll and so far there have been over 3.8 million people have voted in the poll, with the majority in favour of him resigning as the CEO of Twitter. Talk about digging your own grave!

It looks like Musk has now accepted the fate of having to step down as the Twitter CEO as he followed up the poll by tweeting ‘As the saying goes, be careful what you wish, as you might get it’

However, his stepping down as Twitter CEO could be a relief for Musk as he is currently the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and Twitter. A little decluttering never hurt anyone! Elon does need to divert his attention to Tesla as the company’s stock has plunged 62.55 per cent over the last year, upsetting a number of Tesla shareholders.

It was only yesterday when Elon was spotted in Qatar watching the FIFA world cup final between France and Argentina with Jared Kushner, who is the son-in-law of Donald Trump. It was only back in October when it was revealed that Prince Alwaleed bin Talal from Saudi Arabia and his investment firm was the second-largest investor of Twitter. This has brought about another backlash towards Musk who was already under public scrutiny. In the short time Elon took over Twitter, there has been the Twitter blue controversy, massive lay-offs, suspension of journalists from the platform, the Apple controversy, and much more! It will be interesting to see how things pan out once Elon has stepped down from the CEO position of Twitter, or will he?

Elon Musk ideates an ‘Alternative Phone’ if Twitter is removed from Apple and Google stores

What happens when tech giants like Apple and Google decide to drop an application from their app stores? Besides the obvious lawsuits, the banned application or platform takes a major hit when it comes to revenue and adding new users. Something on similar lines was witnessed by Epic Games’ Fortnite when Apple and Google decided to drop the game from their platform. Now, Elon Musk has shared what his plans are for if and when Apple and Google drop Twitter from their respective stores.

Elon Musk’s ‘Alternative Phone’

Musk fanatics are quick to support the billionaire when it comes to almost anything. But, will they buy a phone to use Twitter and prove their loyalty to him? Musk surely thinks so as he recently hinted that he may have to create an alternative phone.

Both Apple and Google charge app developers a fee of 15-30% on all-app transactions. On the other hand, Twitter is all set to roll out the $8 Blue subscription yet again. Since it will be an in-app purchase, Twitter will have to adhere to the rules laid out by Apple/Google to pay up the 15-30% fee. It is not sure whether Musk will retaliate against this practice by the tech giants or simply go with it. Thus, when a known podcast host put forward the idea of Musk making his own smartphone device, the billionaire found it interesting.

Elon Musk tweeted that if it ever comes to the point where Apple and Google kick Twitter out of their respective app stores then he would be left with no other choice but to build his own alternative smartphone. Musk fanatics were quick to jump in and write that he has the potential to revolutionize the smartphone market. Is a Tesla phone in the works? We’ll see!

Now Tumblr is selling $8 blue check marks that do nothing!

Tumblr is currently basking in all its glory! It is experiencing a resurgence due to its policy changes that allowed nudity on the platform and also the ongoing chaos unfolding on Twitter. A few known celebrities like Ryan Reynolds and Lynda Carter also made their way to Tumblr to escape the Twitter drama. However, like almost all other social media platforms Tumblr does not verify high-profile accounts of celebrities and politicians. To keep up with the ongoing trend of Elon Musk charging $8 for a verified check on Twitter, now Tumblr has launched a subscription of the check mark at $7.99!

Tumblr blue check mark

Before you start accusing Tumblr of hopping on a trend to make a few bucks and exploit users, let me tell you that it is actually just a parody. While Tumblr is definitely selling the blue check mark at $7.99 it’s more of a joke item presented by the company and does not give users any other benefits! It is a one-time payment and not an actual monthly subscription. Users can buy the blue check mark from Tumblr’s web store and basically get what they’d expect in return, a blue check. That’s all! Well, two blue checks to be precise. Tumblr is actually providing its users with not one, but two blue check marks just to have an edge over other social media platforms.

While introducing this new feature, Tumblr’s official post read – “Hi! We’re introducing Important Blue Internet Checkmarks here on Tumblr. They’re a steal at $7.99—that’s cheaper than some other places, when you consider that you get not one but TWO checkmarks for your blog on web only (for now). Why, you ask? Why not? Nothing matters! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯”

While all fun and games, Tumblr was also specific that the blue check marks do not really mean identity verification. While sharing the properties of the important checkmarks Tumblr mentioned – “This is not a verification status, it’s an important Blue Internet Checkmark, which in 2022 is just as legit. Also the Important Blue Internet Checkmark may turn into a bunch of crabs at any time”

It is quite evident that Tumblr is poking fun at Twitter’s latest $8 subscription model that allows users to get verified on the platform. It will be interesting to see if Tumblr’s ‘shitposting’ business model allows it to float its boat!

 

 

Twitter may face bankruptcy soon

We could be watching Twitter go from a prominent social media platform to a thing of the past in real-time! Elon Musk recently took charge of Twitter after a 44 billion acquisition and quickly started making radical changes to the platform ranging from the $8 verified check and suspending accounts left and right. These decisions made by Musk have surely changed people’s perception of the platform as it is facing a considerable backlash. Now, it looks like Twitter is facing a threat of bankruptcy, as Elon himself has raised this concern.

Twitter to face bankruptcy?

Bloomberg was one of the first portals to report that Twitter is facing a bankruptcy threat. Twitter’s new CEO Elon Musk has raised concerns about the social media platform going bankrupt on the same day Twitter received a warning from a United States regulator. Musk told Twitter employees that he could not rule out bankruptcy just two weeks after buying the company. As per reports, Musk held the first meeting with his Twitter employees recently where he warned that the company may end up losing billions of dollars in 2023.

According to Musk, the company was losing more than $4 million on a daily basis as more and more advertisers started fleeing the platform once he took over. Reports suggest that the massive 44 billion deal to buy Twitter has reportedly put Twitter’s finances in a precarious position. Reports suggest that Twitter was brought by Musk with $13 billion in debt, on which it faces interest payments of $1.2 billion in the next 12 months. These payments exceed Twitter’s disclosed cash flow of $1.1 billion.

If the bankruptcy threat is actually looming over Twitter then Elon’s $8 Twitter Blue subscription could become the shining light in the dark. However, with easy access to a verified mark, more and more parody accounts are popping up on the platform which is exactly the opposite of what Musk promised. Twitter’s boss now has to figure out how to manage the parody accounts menace while also dealing with the bankruptcy threat.

 

Impersonators on Twitter will be banned permanently, says Musk

If you haven’t been under the rocks for the past few weeks then I am sure you know Elon Musk is now the new Twitter boss. After an expensive acquisition, Elon Musk bought the micro-blogging app and is bringing upon several changes to the platform. One of his most controversial changes to Twitter (besides mass layoffs) has been the $8 Twitter Blue fee which allows users to get a verified check. Many on the platform have argued that allowing people to pay a certain monthly payment for a verified status on Twitter could lead to an epitome of impersonators of famous celebrities and politicians on the platform. Musk himself is not safe as a slew of Elon impersonators were seen popping up like mushrooms on Twitter. It looks like the Twitter boss finally has a crackdown on this menace.

Impersonators to be banned from Twitter

Elon recently Tweeted – ‘Going forward, any Twitter handles engaging in impersonation without clearly specifying “parody” will be permanently suspended’ This news comes just a few days after Twitter suspended several users who had changed their usernames to Elon Musk to impersonate the billionaire. Some high-profile celebrities also hopped on the trend and face consequences including comedian Kath Griffin whose account has now been suspended.

Musk also shared that previously a warning was issued before account suspension on the platform. However, the new rules do not give users such a luxury as their accounts will be discarded swiftly. Accepting that users won’t impersonate any known face is also a condition they would have to agree to while signing up on Twitter Blue. Musk wrote – ‘Previously, we issued a warning before suspension, but now that we are rolling out widespread verification, there will be no warning. This will be clearly identified as a condition for signing up to Twitter Blue.’

This won’t be all as any changes to a Twitter Blue username will temporarily lose the verified checkmark! This decision by Elon has yet again sparked the debate of whether the billionaire is actually the champion of free speech that he has vocally advertised himself and Twitter to be.

Twitter rolls out ‘Edit’ option

For years Twitter users have adamantly demanded the option to edit tweets. I’ve had to delete a tweet and write it down after missing out on a word or misspelling one many times, I am sure you have gone through the same. But it looks like Twitter has finally heard what its users suggested for years and provided an edit option, but there is a catch! Weeks after Twitter announced that it will launch an edit option for its paid subscribers, the microblogging social media giant posted its very first edited tweet. Check it out below:

Twitter’s Edit Option

https://twitter.com/TwitterBlue/status/1575590534529556480?s=20&t=rhUXBEFl2lNda7Er4f140A

As of now, only Twitter Blue subscribers living in New Zealand, Canada and Australia can edit their tweets. Thus it is a paid feature and not a free one. The company has stated that Blue subscribers in the US will soon be getting the feature but there is no word about the feature making its way to Twitter in India as there is not even a Twitter Blue subscription model launched in the country. In the tweet above, you can see a pencil symbol which notifies users that the tweet was edited. Users can then click on the pencil symbol and check out the edit history of the tweet. So, users thinking that they can easily hide their typos and mistakes by simply editing a tweet won’t be able to do so.

I think Twitter as a microblogging website has surely gotten late to introduce this feature. The edit option should have made its way to Twitter years back but better late than never! To edit their tweets users need to pay up $4.99 per month for a Twitter Blue subscription. When it comes to the actual functionality of the edit button, users can edit their tweets multiple times only in the first 30 minutes after the tweet has been published. Twitter describes the 30-minute time frame as a short period of time to fix typos and missed tags. being an ardent fan of the microblogging platform, I cannot wait for Twitter Blue and the edit option to become available in India.

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