Twitter rolls out voice DM feature for users in India
Twitter has started rolling out the voice-based direct messages (DMs) for select users in India. This allows users to send voice messages as DMs, with the length being capped at 140 seconds, just like the original character limit. The feature was announced in September last year and it is still considered experimental, as it is being released to users in a staged manner.
Available on Android and iOS in Japan and Brazil
The voice DM feature is available both on Android and iOS apps. It is presently being tested in India, Japan and Brazil and could be rolled out to other regions in the future based on the response. Voice messages aren't technically restricted to DMs, because users have the option of either sending them as DMs or voice-based tweets, with the latter being already present.
How to send voice DMs through Twitter
Android users can send voice DMs by tapping the voice recording icon to record the message and hitting it the second time to conclude recording. However, iOS users are required to press and hold the icon to record. Swiping up and releasing the message sends it immediately. Both the apps allow the audio recording to be previewed prior to sharing.
Twitter has been focusing on voice since Clubhouse appeared
Twitter's voice DM feature comes at a time when social media players have been working hard to integrate voice-based interaction. The lockdowns amid the pandemic have created a need for increasingly natural human interaction on social media, which is manifested through the popularity of the voice-based app Clubhouse. Twitter has already been beta testing Spaces, which is its response to Clubhouse.
Facebook is reportedly working on its own voice interactivity features
Not to be left behind, Facebook is also rumored to be working on integrating Clubhouse-like audio interaction features into its existing social media repertoire. The feature is in the early stages of development and comes at a time when CEO Mark Zuckerberg has openly showed his admiration for Clubhouse by using the platform to advertise his VR and AR projects.
