TECH DIGEST- In a tweet, entrepreneur Elon Musk has unveiled an ambitious expansion for X, heralding the arrival of video and audio calls on the platform. As X continues its mission to redefine modern communication, this latest move is set to transform the way people connect and interact on a global scale.

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Musk’s tweet, “Video & audio calls coming to X,” encapsulates a pivotal juncture in the platform’s evolution. Notably, X’s upcoming feature is primed to work seamlessly across a spectrum of devices, including iOS, Android, Mac, and PC. This cross-platform compatibility is poised to bridge technological divides and ensure connectivity irrespective of user preferences.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this announcement is the elimination of the conventional reliance on phone numbers. Musk’s vision for X envisions a communication ecosystem where the constraints of traditional identifiers dissolve, giving rise to a more fluid and intuitive mode of connection. By circumventing the need for phone numbers, X aligns itself with the contemporary way in which people communicate, reflecting the shift towards dynamic and multifaceted interactions.

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TECHDIGEST- Threads is a newly unveiled app developed by Instagram, which is owned by Meta (formerly Facebook). It is designed to serve as a companion to Instagram and offers features that position it as a potential competitor to Twitter.If Instagram executives get their way, Threads will also replace rival Twitter, with some techies referring to it as a “Twitter killer.”

The app aims to provide a platform for real-time, public conversations among users. With Meta’s financial resources and Instagram’s extensive user base of over two billion monthly active users worldwide, Threads has the potential to gain significant traction.

READALSO: Meta’s “Threads App” Poses Fresh Rivalry Against Twitter

Threads closely integrate with Instagram, requiring users to have an existing Instagram account to sign up for the app. Additionally, a user’s Instagram handle serves as their Threads username. Users have the option to import the list of accounts they follow on Instagram to Threads and verified Instagram users will also be verified on the new app. Users can choose to keep their Threads account private or make it public.

In terms of functionality, Threads shares similarities with Twitter. Users can post text-based messages to a scrolling feed, allowing their followers to reply. The app also supports photo and video sharing. However, one notable difference is that Threads does not currently support direct messaging, a feature offered by Twitter. Instagram has expressed the possibility of adding new features to Threads based on user feedback.

Threads is now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play store in the United States and approximately 100 other countries. Meta has plans to expand its availability to more regions in the future. However, the app will not be launched in the European Union initially due to the implementation of the Digital Markets Act, a new EU law that regulates data-sharing practices among major tech companies. Meta is awaiting further details about the law’s implementation before introducing Threads in the EU

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TECHDIGEST– Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg has said that the company’s newly-launched Threads app aims to outrival Twitter. The app allows users to post up to 500 characters, and has many features similar to Twitter.

Experts say Threads could attract Twitter users unhappy with recent changes to the platform. Twitter chief Elon Musk has responded to the launch of Threads by saying that he prefers to be attacked by strangers on Twitter than to indulge in the “false happiness” of Instagram.

When asked on Threads whether the app will be “bigger than Twitter”, Mr Zuckerberg said: “It’ll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn’t nailed it. Hopefully we will.”

Competitors have criticised the amount of data the app might use. This may include health, financial, and browsing data linked to users’ identities, according to the Apple App Store. Threads is now available to download in over 100 countries including the UK, but not yet in the EU because of regulatory concerns. The app passed five million sign-ups in its first four hours, Mr Zuckerberg said.

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TECHDIGEST– In a recent move, Twitter has made significant changes to its platform by restricting access to its search bar for non-registered users. This decision has sparked concern among researchers and journalists who rely on the platform to monitor real-time conversations around global events.

Previously, anyone could effortlessly search for tweets on Twitter without the need for an account or logging in. However, as of this week, individuals have discovered that this option is no longer available. Upon visiting Twitter’s website on a web browser while logged out, users can only see suggested tweets, but the ability to search for specific tweets has been removed.

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This alteration has far-reaching implications, as it means that even if someone shares a link with Twitter search results, non-registered users will be prompted to log in to view the content. Consequently, this change disrupts the seamless accessibility that was once enjoyed by individuals seeking to stay informed about ongoing discussions on the platform.

Furthermore, Twitter’s recent decision to shut off its free API has also caused disruption, impacting numerous apps and websites that relied on its services. Academic researchers, in particular, have been adversely affected as they previously had the ability to download substantial amounts of tweets for research purposes. Now, obtaining access to large quantities of tweets comes with a steep price, starting at a minimum of $100 per month, as reported by 9to5mac.

These developments from the social media giant, now under the ownership of Musk, are indicative of its ongoing struggle to retain users and advertisers while ensuring profitability. Twitter has recently made headlines by removing its renowned blue checkmarks and curbing the reach of accounts that do not subscribe to Twitter Blue, a paid service.

With these new restrictions on search functionality and limited access to tweets, Twitter’s user experience has been significantly altered. This poses challenges for researchers, journalists, and individuals alike who rely on the platform for real-time updates and analysis. The impact of these changes on the broader Twitter community remains to be seen as users adapt to the new landscape of the platform.

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