Apps
After years of settling, Twitter is finally waking up to new features
There’s so many of them in 2021
Twitter has been around for a long time, and it has changed a lot since its debut. The micro-blogging platform was infamous for its 140 character limit, an intentional limitation that ensured everything on the site is short, crisp, and to the point. It’s no surprise that Twitter became the go-to website for news, independent alerts, and much more within no time.
Although, if you’ve been a Twitter user for a decade, you’ll know that the platform hasn’t changed much in all these years. Twitter did increase the length limit to 280 characters in 2017, but it had little change in the overall behavior of users. Twitter was always an easy-to-use “blog,” and it was happy being in its little inconquerable bubble.
Things are changing fast this year as Twitter aggressively adds new features and intends to open a subscription model soon. Obviously, there won’t be any change in the way we tweet or interact, but the number of features we have will surely increase. The platform is still silent about the most asked feature — the edit button on tweets. But rest assured, the classic Twitter experience isn’t going away anytime soon.
In fact, it’s going to get a lot more interesting as the platform now supports Spaces, a feature that allows users to join virtual rooms where they can engage in real-time audio conversations with others. Instead of typing, why not just talk candidly to all your followers?
Twitter began working on the audio-chat feature in November 2020, and it was available for beta and alpha users a few months ago. It’s now ready for public use, and any user with more than 600 followers can create a room and start talking. Audio-only features are the trend, and every company, including Facebook and Spotify, is doubling down on it.
Twitter has also confirmed that it is working on an upcoming feature called “Ticket Spaces.” This feature will allow users to create Spaces that require others to purchase a ticket to join. The platform has never been so keen on monetization, but the shift in strategy is clearly visible. Hosts will earn the majority of revenue from ticket sales, while Twitter will pocket a small fee.
In January 2021, Twitter discreetly acquired Revue, a Dutch startup that allows users to publish and monetize email newsletters. Just like SubStack, Revue lets you create your own newsletter and monetize it. However, what’s special here is, the newsletter is now integrated within Twitter. So, it makes it easier to persuade your existing followers to subscribe, helping you directly monetize your reach on Twitter.
The feature is already available on Twitter’s web app. Many say that a newsletter doesn’t work in Twitter’s favor, but the company tends to disagree.
“Many established writers and publishers have built their brand on Twitter, amassing an audience that’s hungry for the next article or perspective they Tweet. Our goal is to make it easy for them to connect with their subscribers while also helping readers better discover writers and their content. We’re imagining many ways to do this, from allowing people to sign up for newsletters from their favorite follows on Twitter to new settings for writers to host conversations with their subscribers. It will all work seamlessly,” said Kayvon, Product Lead at Twitter.
New functionality isn’t the only thing that’s keeping the engineers busy. The platform has always attracted controversy due to moderation, troll attacks, and indecent behavior. Thousands of accounts are removed every week to ensure community guidelines are followed to maintain a safe space for everyone.
In 2020, the company began testing a new safety mechanism that prompts users to reconsider before they reply to a tweet using “harmful” language.
If a user types out a reply with any of the language that the company has deemed harmful, they’ll see a warning message asking, “Want to review this before tweeting? We’re asking people to review replies with potentially harmful or offensive language.”
While this may not seem like much, previous reports have shown that these minor design-based hurdles help curb negativity. Based on trials, Twitter said that 34 percent of people revised their initial reply after seeing the prompt or chose not to send the reply at all.
Lastly, Twitter has changed the way its algorithm crops a picture to show it on the timeline. Now, when users tweet a photo uploaded with their iOS or Android device, it will appear in the timeline in its entirety. There’ll be no cropping, so you won’t be forced to open the picture and see all the details.
Earlier, the algorithm would determine the most sensible part of the picture, crop it, and show a preview on the feed. This prompted many to share memes that could be completely seen only when the picture is opened. Else, it could look context-free and random. While most users are cheering the minor change, many feel that the surprise element behind seeing a photo is now gone. Fair to say, it’s going to be impossible to please everyone!
Though, we’d really appreciate it if Twitter could give us an edit button as well.
Read Also: Twitter acquires ad-removing news app Scroll
Apple announced that the App Store ecosystem generated US$ 1.1 trillion in developer billings and sales for the year 2022, as per a study from economists at Analysis Group.
More than 90 percent of these billings and sales were accrued solely to developers, without any commission paid to Apple.
According to economists from Analysis Group, developers generated:
- US$ 910 million from the sale of physical goods and services
- US$ 109 billion from in-app advertising
- US$ 104 million from digital goods and services
The Analysis Group’s study also mentioned that among the key drivers behind the App Store ecosystem’s growth are a rebounding demand for sectors like travel and ride-hailing, as well as advertising spend in social media and retail apps.
Moreover, developer billings and sales increased by 29% between 2021 and 2022, and 27% percent between both 2020 and 2021 and 2020 and 2019.
In particular, small developers found great success in the App Store, growing their revenue by 71% between 2020 and 2022.
The Apple Store’s engine of commerce includes Apple providing developers around the world a global distribution platform which supports:
- 195 local payment methods
- 44 currencies
- 175 storefronts
Strong growth across app categories
According to a new study from the Analysis Group’s economists titled “The Continued Growth and Resilience of Apple’s App Store Ecosystem,” sales from travel and ride-hailing made on iOS apps increased by 84% and 45%, respectively.
iOS app-based food delivery and pickup sales more than doubled too, while groceries more than tripled.
App Store turns 15
The encouraging numbers from the study coincide with the App Store’s 15th anniversary.
Overall, here are some interesting facts about the App Store’s 15-year existence:
- iOS developers have earned more than US$ 320 billion on the App Store (from 2008 to 2022)
- iOS users have downloaded app more than 370 billion times (from 2008 to 2022)
- The App Store has nearly 1.8 million apps to choose from, more than 123 times as many available during 2008
The App Store also remains a safe and trusted marketplace, thanks to its rigorous App Review process and privacy and security protections.
In 2022 alone, the App Store blocked more than US$ 2 billion in fraudulent transactions and rejected 1.7 million app submissions for failing to meet privacy, security, and quality standards.
Recent innovations like App Tracking Transparency and Privacy Nutrition Labels also empower users on how to operate
Though the platform works differently, Reddit is much like other social media platforms. For one, it relies on users signing up for the service to interact with one another through threads. However, Reddit is also similar by offering its API to third parties. If you’re not happy with using the original website or app, developers can create apps tailored to optimize the experience. Unfortunately, those might soon go away.
Recently, Reddit announced a round of changes coming to its API rules. Starting June 19, the platform will charge third parties for access to their API. In a nutshell, any developer who wants to continue offering a tailored Reddit experience must pay up to access the website.
According to the company, the changes are a result of emerging AI technologies which leverage Reddit for language learning. Naturally, the company isn’t happy with being used for free, resulting in a paid scheme coming soon.
Unfortunately, the pricing scheme isn’t affordable for smaller developers who just want to offer a cleaner experience of the website. Apollo, one of the most popular third-party alternatives to Reddit’s main app, recently announced that Reddit is charging US$ 20 million per year to keep the app running as is. Christian Selig, the app’s developer, confirms that the figure is just too much.
Other apps have not disclosed their discussions with the platform. However, their users have already lamented the impending doom of third-party apps and their involvement with the platform as a whole.
For their part, Reddit says that Selig’s figure only reflects a standard rate, rather than a specialized one as discussed with Apollo. The company remains adamant that it wants to be equitable and civil towards third-party apps.
SEE ALSO: Reddit acquires Dubsmash
If you’re wondering why MOVE IT is visible on the Grab app, it’s because the homegrown motorcycle ride-hailing app has undergone a massive overhaul.
Already a TNVS player in the Philippines before the COVID-19 pandemic, MOVE IT received support from Grab for a better overall experience.
The upgraded app has improved safety, reliability, and user experience. This includes a 99.95 percent uptime for seamless booking, especially during peak hours.
Coverage areas currently include the following cities:
- Paranaque
- Pasay
- Taguig
- Makati
- Pateros
- Pasig
- Mandaluyong
- Manila
- San Juan
- Southern Quezon City
- Marikina
The app also features a built-in calling feature, eliminating the need for messaging apps or mobile load to make calls.
Grab’s map and navigation data have also been integrated into the app. When in transit, MOVE IT has a Share-My-Ride feature, ensuring that loved ones are constantly updated about one’s trip.
As for payments, MOVE IT accepts cashless options, including credit and debit cards, with e-wallets soon to follow for further convenience.
MOVE IT is available to download via the App Store and Google Play.
Apple M2 Max MacBook Pro 16-inch Review: Four months later
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will debut a month early
Uniqlo unveils Dragon Ball UT Collection
Home away from home: Next-Gen Ford Everest makes long trips cozier
Sony Days of Play: Discounts on DualSense controllers, titles
-
Hands-On2 weeks agoFinal Cut Pro for iPad Hands-on: Game Changer!
-
Gaming2 weeks agoPlayStation working on more new franchises
-
Features1 week agoHow well do PlayStation games run on the ROG Ally?
-
Gaming2 weeks agoXbox counters PlayStation 5 exclusivity
-
Gaming2 weeks agoPlayStation Showcase: Spider-Man 2, Metal Gear Solid, more
-
Gaming2 weeks agoMarvel’s Spider-Man 2 shows 10 minutes of gameplay
-
Deals2 weeks agoSamsung Super Brand Day sale on Lazada: Up to 50% off
-
Gaming2 weeks agoPlayStation ‘Project Q’ handheld confirmed