Mark Zuckerberg: Threads users down by more than a half

image via bbc.com
image via bbc.com

The Twitter rival rocketed to more than 100 million users within five days of its launch earlier this month. But Mr Zuckerberg has acknowledged those numbers have now tumbled. "If you have more than 100 million people sign up, ideally it would be awesome if all of them or even half of them stuck around. We're not there yet," he said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66336058

Twitter is being rebranded as X

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

X.com now redirects to Twitter.com, following a tweet from Twitter owner Elon Musk today, and an “interim X logo” will replace the Twitter bird logo later today. Leading up to the change, Musk spent a lot of time tweeting about it.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/23/23804629/twitters-rebrand-to-x-may-actually-be-happening-soon

Elon Musk removes Twitter’s ‘government-funded media’ labels after outlets flee the platform

image via theverge.com
image via theverge.com

Twitter has removed the “government-funded” and “state-affiliated” labels that led several news outlets to stop tweeting on the platform. When asked why Twitter has dropped the labels, Elon Musk says it was a “suggestion” from Walter Isaacson, the author of his upcoming biography, according to NPR reporter Bobby Allyn. Neither NPR, PBS, nor CBC have said whether they will resume their activity on Twitter now that the labels are gone. In a statement provided to The Verge, CBC spokesperson Leon Mar says the organization is “reviewing this latest development and will leave our Twitter accounts on pause before taking any next steps.” NPR and PBS didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment, but we’ll update this article if we hear back.

https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/21/23692449/elon-musk-twitter-government-funded-media-labels-removed

Twitter Tells Corporate Partners It’s Now X Corp. Amid Switch To ‘Everything App’

image via forbes.com
image via forbes.com

Twitter informed business users Tuesday it is now conducting business as X Corp., confirming a transition previously indicated in court filings as the firm’s billionaire chief, Elon Musk, continues to reshape the social media company toward his ultimate vision of the X “everything app.”

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2023/04/18/twitter-tells-corporate-partners-its-now-x-corp-amid-switch-to-everything-app/

No more free API access, says Twitter: You pay for that data

Twitter is eliminating access to its API, but the once-free comms integration will still be available to those who want it – for a price.

“Starting February 9, we will no longer support free access to the Twitter API, both v2 and v1.1. A paid basic tier will be available instead,” Twitter’s developer account said this morning.

https://www.theregister.com/2023/02/02/twitter_eliminating_all_free_api/

Three months ago, he was laid off from Twitter. Now, his competing app Spill is funded.

Image Credits: Spill

Like Twitter, Spill will have a live news feed where users can post “spills,” a reference to the phrase “spill the tea.” Spill is also building a feature called “tea parties,” where users can host both online and IRL events, then get in-app bonuses to apply to things like boosting their posts — these bonuses will also be for sale.

“We’re really leaning into meme culture, making it easier to put text on images or gifs — little touches and tweaks like that have been really exciting,” Terrell said.

https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/30/three-months-ago-he-was-laid-off-from-twitter-now-his-competing-app-spill-is-funded/