Twitter Introduces Instagram Stories-Like ‘Fleets’, Users React With #RIPTwitter
Twitter announced that the social media platform is testing is new feature called Fleets.
Similar to Instagram Stories, the feature allows users to post tweets that disappear after 24 hours. Fleets-a combination of words “fleeting” and “tweet”—cannot be retweeted nor receive responses from the public. Other users can only interact with it via direct message.
To view the Fleets, the user can tap on someone’s icon as the Fleets do not appear on their timeline. According to product lead at Twitter Kayvon Beykpour, users don’t feel comfortable releasing some tweets as they can be seen and replied to by anybody. Therefore, Twitter decided to “address some of the anxieties” that users have with this new feature.
Twitter is currently testing Fleets in Brazil only, on Android and iOS. The announcement, however, has caused an uproar on Twitter and many users are sharing their disappointment user the hashtag ‘#RIPTwitter’.
Many users felt that the new feature was not as important as an edit button, which is still unavailable on the platform. Take a look at some savage responses to Fleets below.
Fleets are a way to share fleeting thoughts. Unlike Tweets, Fleets disappear after 24 hours and don’t get Retweets, Likes, or public replies-- people can only react to your Fleets with DMs. Instead of showing up in people’s timelines, Fleets are viewed by tapping on your avatar. pic.twitter.com/sWwsExRLcJ
— Kayvon Beykpour (@kayvz) March 4, 2020
We’re hoping that Fleets can help people share the fleeting thoughts that they would have been unlikely to Tweet. This is a substantial change to Twitter, so we’re excited to learn by testing it (starting with the rollout today in Brazil) and seeing how our customers use it.
— Kayvon Beykpour (@kayvz) March 4, 2020
People often tell us that they don’t feel comfortable Tweeting because Tweets can be seen and replied to by anybody, feel permanent and performative (how many Likes & Retweets will this get!?). Many of us can probably empathize with this: https://t.co/LW2xWlctZi
— Kayvon Beykpour (@kayvz) March 4, 2020
Sweet! Thanks for finally providing us with an edit button!
— ceneblock (@ceneblock) March 4, 2020
I know Twitter can be full of political vitriol and animus, but something that every user agrees on is the need for an edit button.
Thank you for this wonderful new edit button feature that we've all been asking for.
Everyone: can we get an edit button?
— yas (@Adoomies2) March 5, 2020
Twitter: No but y’all can have stories #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/UJWnJLHqC4
All.....we.....wanted....was....an...EDIT BUTTON‼️#RipTwitter
— The Virgin God🙏🏾😇😈 (@RayBeenImmortal) March 4, 2020
Twitter Users: Can we please get a edit button..
— Matt Ayd (@MattAyd) March 5, 2020
Twitter: We’re proud to announce story features! #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/KdOwtCwaYA
We want edit button, not stories.
— Fanny-ZN 🇿🇦 (@fanny_miz) March 5, 2020
Anyone who wants stories can go to Instagram and Facebook #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/Nj1O1vwgHg
Twitter adding 24hrs story function to it’s features at a time when all we need is an “edit tweet” option in order to minimize the frustration of deleting tweets over small errors. Rename this app to “Bomboclaat-Facebook” already #RIPTwitter
— Abdool Moh (@abdool_moh) March 5, 2020
#RIPTwitter How I'm about to ignore y'alls stories here like I do on the other apps pic.twitter.com/430tukBekM
— Alpha B👑💎 (@Green_Greenly) March 5, 2020
#RIPTwitter
— Neil Malope (@neil_malope) March 5, 2020
So Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram are pretty much the same thing now pic.twitter.com/lmP8VBKUKy
#RIPTwitter it's been good but now we move to LinkedIn pic.twitter.com/aSvKR09Wp8
— Grey Matter 🌒 (@miz_ra_im) March 5, 2020
I'll tell my kids this bird died#RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/UndYnKp9XU
— WILLE OEBA 🇰🇪 (@WillieOeba) March 5, 2020
Me looking at my friends' stories on Insta, FB, Snapchat, and Twitter. #RIPTwitter pic.twitter.com/RtSlDEHb0U
— Harsh Panchal (@harshp2035) March 5, 2020
#RIPTwitter
— Eu Sunt Dracul 🥀 (@Viva_el_Nathan) March 5, 2020
Snapchat: *adds stories*
Facebook: *adds stories*
Instagram: *adds stories*
Twitter (being used by Satan): pic.twitter.com/L1T5XzGIi6
[via Android Headlines, opening image via Kayvon Beykpour]
