Twitter is in the process of developing a standalone messaging app that would put it in direct competition with WhatsApp and Facebook.
The micro-blogging website is mulling over a separate app for Twitter users to direct message each other, sources have told AllThingsD.
The move would come as the website looks to quietly revamp its service. The company has been internally testing out settings that would allow users to send and receive messages without having to first follow each other. The report said that Twitter has begun to roll out the feature to a select few users.
Twitter is said to have considered the idea for months but it remains unclear what form any change to direct messages would take. Twitter has largely ignored Direct Messaging over the last couple of years and the last major redesign of the site saw the feature being buried under other options.
The move comes as the popularity of personal messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Line and SnapChat grows is forcing Twitter to look again as its messaging capabilities. The firm is also said to be looking at another redesign of its homepage in order to grow the number of active users of its service.
According to sources, Twitter met up with people from another popular messaging app MessageMe, although to what ends remains unclear.
Last week, Twitter launched its Event Parrot account that sends followers notifications on breaking news events.
Twitter has not commented on the messaging service.
-
What is polymorphic malware?Explainer Polymorphic malware constantly changes its code to avoid detection, making it a top cybersecurity threat that demands advanced, behavior-based defenses
-
Outgoing Kaseya CEO teases "this is just the beginning" for the companyOpinion We spoke to Fred Voccola who remains a key figurehead at the firm as it enters its next chapter...
-
Who owns the data used to train AI?Analysis Elon Musk says he owns it – but Twitter’s terms and conditions suggest otherwise
-
Meta to pay $725 million in Cambridge Analytica lawsuit settlementNews The settlement closes the long-running lawsuit into how Facebook's owner, Meta, handled the Cambridge Analytica scandal
-
Elon Musk confirms Twitter CEO resignation, allegations of investor influence raisedNews Questions have surfaced over whether Musk hid the true reason why he was being ousted as Twitter CEO behind a poll in which the majority of users voted for his resignation
-
Businesses to receive unique Twitter verification badge in platform overhaulNews There will be new verification systems for businesses, governments, and individuals - each receiving differently coloured checkmarks
-
Ex-Twitter tech lead says platform's infrastructure can sustain engineering layoffsNews Barring major changes the platform contains the automated systems to keep it afloat, but cuts could weaken failsafes further
-
‘Hardcore’ Musk decimates Twitter staff benefits, mandates weekly code reviewsNews The new plans from the CEO have been revealed through a series of leaked internal memos
-
Twitter could charge $20 a month for 'blue tick' verification, following Musk takeoverNews Developers have allegedly been given just seven days to implement the changes or face being fired
-
Meta's earnings are 'cause for concern' and 2023 looks even bleakerAnalysis Calls for investor faith in metaverse tech only emphasise the worries that its investment strategy won't pay off
