Twitter could remove like and retweet counts from posts in a move to create a ‘friendlier’ platform, according to the company’s new beta app.
The social networking giant hit the headlines at yesterday’s SXSW, the technology industry conference, to show off a new version of the social networking app that would change the game and take Twitter in a new direction.
Currently in prototype, ‘twttr’ is the first step towards healthier conversations on the platform, with CEO Jack Dorsey planning to implement new ideas and features and ask for feedback from a dedicated group of beta testers.
The best features will eventually make it into the core Twitter experience.
Perhaps Twitter’s biggest change is the removal of retweet and like counts on tweets and replies, and although the interaction numbers can still be found by tapping on the tweet, hiding the numbers takes away the initial reaction. You don’t know how popular a message was, and therefore won’t judge it based on the reaction it’s had from others.
That’s not the only new feature that the company is testing.
Twttr also includes new nested replies and interactions, and a redesigned Direct Messages page with online status icons.
Yesterday (March 13) the company also announced it would be rolling out a revamped camera experience in its flagship Twitter app, allowing you to swipe to start recording.
See it? Tweet it! Our updated camera is just a swipe away, so you get the shot fast. Rolling out to all of you over the next few days. pic.twitter.com/moOEFO2nQq
— Twitter (@Twitter) March 13, 2019
Twitter is expected to spend 2019 experimenting with new features in a bid to increase engagement and ad generation from the platform, at a time when Facebook continues to dominate social networking with Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
Keep it AppleMagazine for the latest developments, as and when we get them.