iWorld
Twitter launches #Stickers as visual hashtags connecting photos
MUMBAI: Twitter has announced fun photo editing tool #Stickers. Users can choose from hundreds of accessories, emojis, and props and stick them anywhere on photos they upload to Twitter.
When editing a photo, a library of stickers will be available across several categories, including accessories, animals, food, technology, flags, etc. Like hashtags on Twitter, the stickers will make tweeting easy for people to explore a topic they’re interested in, and join in on the public, global conversation.
The stickers can be resized, rotated and placed anywhere on a photo.
“Millions of Tweets with photos are sent every day on Twitter, capturing the moments that the world is talking about,” said Twitter CMOLeslie Berland. “#Stickers give people a fun way to add their own unique style to their photos, and connect them with others around the world. By making stickers searchable like hashtags, we’re enabling the best of Twitter: making it easy for people to create conversations around events and experiences that are happening right now.”
Any public Tweet containing a sticker will now be easily searchable and discoverable, creating a new visual spin on the hashtag; simply tapping on a sticker brings up a new timeline of Tweets from people around the world using that same sticker.
The featured category will highlight live stickers tied to world events, holidays or other themes, making it easy for people to join in on timely conversations. A timeline of Tweets using a specific sticker is easily accessible by tapping on that sticker within any photo on Twitter.
The feature is rolling out over the coming weeks on Twitter for iOS and Android.
iWorld
X launches XChat messaging app on iOS with calls and encryption
Standalone app marks shift from “everything app” vision, adds E2E messaging.
MUMBAI: From one big app to many small chats, X seems to be splitting its ambitions. X has rolled out its standalone messaging app, XChat, to iOS users, opening up a new front in its evolving product strategy. The app allows users to connect with existing X contacts through private and group messages, file sharing, as well as audio and video calls. The launch follows a limited beta phase, where the platform tested the product with a smaller user base to refine the experience. Now available publicly, XChat marks a notable pivot from earlier ambitions championed by Elon Musk to turn X into a single “everything app” combining messaging, payments, commerce and more.
Instead, the company under xAI ownership and backed by SpaceX appears to be building a suite of standalone applications, each targeting specific use cases while expanding its broader ecosystem.
At launch, XChat includes end-to-end encrypted messaging, PIN-based access, disappearing messages, and features such as message editing, deletion for all participants, and screenshot blocking. The company has also said the app is free from advertisements and tracking mechanisms, positioning it as a privacy-first alternative in a crowded messaging space.
However, security claims around the platform are likely to face scrutiny. Earlier iterations of XChat drew criticism from experts who argued it fell short of established encrypted platforms like Signal. With the wider rollout, the app is expected to undergo fresh evaluation to assess whether those concerns have been addressed.
Beyond messaging, XChat will also house X’s Communities feature, which is being discontinued on the main platform due to low usage and spam concerns. Migrating these users could provide an early boost to adoption, effectively turning XChat into both a communication and community hub.
The move underscores a broader recalibration at X less about cramming everything into one app, and more about spreading bets across multiple touchpoints, one message at a time.
