News

Twitter deletes (then restores) verified checkmarks

An odd series of events

Published

on

Every month brings a new chapter in the ongoing Twitter saga with Elon Musk. Throughout the latter half of last week and the weekend, the latest chapter brought out the never-ending controversy surrounding the once-coveted blue checkmark. If you missed all the hullaballoo, here’s your chance to catch up.

Since acquiring the platform, Musk promised the transformation of the blue checkmark into a monetized badge for subscribers. Instead of awarding the badge to popular personalities active on the platform, Twitter wanted to give the marker out only to those who paid the monthly US$ 8 for Twitter Blue. Naturally, those who already have legacy badges rallied against the change, resulting in endless delays.

Twitter blazed it

Finally, Twitter had enough and called for a change on one of the most meme-worthy dates in internet culture, 4/20. Since that date, a lot of legacy badge holders lost their verified checkmarks for good. Because of the universally panned change, those who lost their badges already vowed to not pay for a new one through Twitter Blue.

It’s not a smooth change, though. Soon after the apocalypse, some users discovered that their badges survived. Despite finally getting rid of the old ways, Twitter has apparently figured out a way for high-profile users to keep their verified checkmarks after all.

So much for sweet goodbyes

Currently, Twitter has not confirmed why these users retained their checkmarks. However, Musk has personally commented on some profiles, saying that he’ll personally pay for their badges going forward. Some have also speculated that users over a certain threshold of followers will keep their badges; however, it’s unclear what that threshold is.

Those who refused to pay for Blue are now quailing at the retention of their blue checkmarks. The platform is not differentiating between users who paid for Blue and those who retained their old badges. It’s causing some confusion since they don’t want to be perceived as someone who paid for a free social media platform.

Since the acquisition, Twitter Blue has lost its already fragile veneer of exclusivity. Instead of turning the subscription service into a tempting package for users, Musk has inadvertently created a narrative wherein it is now a cause for ridicule.

It’s unlikely that the saga ends here. The finish to this weekend’s controversy is hardly a smooth one for the platform.

SEE ALSO: Twitter ‘no longer exists’

Related Topics:

Accessories

Logitech introduces a dedicated shortcut for ChatGPT

Compatible with most keyboards and mice

Published

on

April 19, 2024

By

Artificial intelligence is already meant to simplify a workflow. However, despite the ease, there are still a few ways to optimize the process. Today, Logitech has launched a new shortcut to launch ChatGPT straight from your mouse or keyboard.

Minus programmable hotkeys or buttons, there are hardly any built-in way to easily access an AI model. For a typical workflow, it still consists of manually opening the model on a separate window and keeping it within cursor’s reach throughout the day.

Logitech is simplifying the process by adding a dedicated shortcut for its devices. With a Logitech keyboard or mouse supported by the Logi Options+ app, users can program a keyboard or mouse button for the new Logi AI Prompt Builder.

Once activated, the AI Prompt Builder automatically accesses easy options for highlighted text. For example, users can easily rephrase or summarize the text. Likewise, they can input their own custom queries. By eliminating a few clicks and some typing throughout the day, the new tool hopes to save you time.

While most Logitech keyboards and mice are compatible with the new tool, it is also more easily accessible with the new Logitech Signature AI Edition Mouse. The new mouse has a dedicated button just for AI prompts. If you’re an AI power user, this one is perfect for you.

SEE ALSO: Logitech unveils G Pro X 60 gaming keyboard: Price, details

Continue Reading

News

X’s AI accused Klay Thompson of vandalizing houses with bricks

AI thought joke posts were real

Published

on

April 18, 2024

By

Image source: Keith Allison, Wikimedia

Despite the ease that the technology promises, artificial intelligence still isn’t the most reliable thing you can depend on. Today’s models can still flub answers. Now, the pitfalls of AI are abundantly clear with a few mishaps on X. Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson was just “accused” of a vandalism spree involving bricks.

Late Tuesday night, X presented an AI-generated news snippet. The article, posted soon after the Warriors’ play-in loss to the Sacramento Kings, reads: “Klay Thompson Accused in Bizarre Brick-Vandalism Spree.”

The snippet hilariously described an incident where Thompson supposedly vandalized houses in Sacramento with bricks. Thankfully, according to the snippet, no one was hurt. It even had a few sources for its claims below the news summary.

The sources, however, are just joke posts stemming from the recently concluded game. In that do-or-die game, Thompson put up a staggering 0 points on ten shot attempts, the most misses without a make by a Warrior since the ’68 season. Naturally, everyone joked that the Warriors guard just threw bricks all over Sacramento.

Now, X is currently experimenting with a new AI feature called Grok. The model collates trending topics and creates snippets of what’s happening for X users. However, it’s not exactly the smartest in determining real news from satiric ones. The feature notes as much, carrying a fine-print caveat warning users to “verify its outputs” because it’s an early feature and can make mistakes.

SEE ALSO: New X users must pay a dollar per year to post and reply

Continue Reading

Apps

New X users must pay a dollar per year to post and reply

Rolling out globally now

Published

on

April 16, 2024

By

New users on X might soon face a tough time on the platform. The social media website will likely start charging new accounts a small fee for the right to post on the platform.

Now, the fee isn’t a new one. Almost six months ago, the company tested the paid system in New Zealand and the Philippines. New users in those countries had to pay a dollar per year for the ability to post and reply to content.

As spotted by X Daily News on the same platform, the company might be ready to take the experiment to a larger market. New text strings have shown that the policy is rolling out worldwide.

The policy is designed to combat a wave of bots appearing on the platform. By preventing new accounts from creating posts, X hopes to stave off the standard behavior of bots these days. You might have noticed them as OnlyFans creators in unrelated posts, peddling NSFW content on their bio.

Though the global rollout was only just spotted, owner Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed the change. Replying to X Daily News, Musk says that it is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.” He says that the current breed of bots can easily bypass simple checks these days.

SEE ALSO: X will no longer let you hide your blue checkmark

Continue Reading

Trending