Twitter on Monday announced the release of its new prototype app “twttr,” designed to make it “easier to read, understand, and join conversations.”
As noted by Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, the new app, which uses the company’s original name, has been launched with a simplistic blue design.
“The bird flew away from the app icon representing: Simplicity. Blue sky thinking. We’re re-working,” Stone tweeted. “Not there yet; hence, no logo. Bold and a little weird.”
Notice our new prototype? @jack and I named and designed it based on old times. It’s called, “twttr." The bird flew away from the app icon representing: Simplicity. Blue sky thinking. We’re re-working. Not there yet; hence, no logo. Bold and a little weird. #LetsHaveAConvo pic.twitter.com/WaNR2mOXO9
— Biz Stone (@biz) March 11, 2019
Twitter first revealed the project in January at the annual CES convention in Las Vegas, noting that the app would allow users to test out and give feedback on new features.
A select number of English and Japanese speaking users who requested to be testers prior to launch will be invited to download the app in the coming days.
One way Twitter hopes to enhance conversations is through replies, which will be color-coded in the new app to help users distinguish commenters. Specific colors will be given to the original poster as well as anyone who happens to be a user’s follower.
According to TechCrunch, Sara Haider, Twitter’s director of product management, outlined the company’s hopes for the app in a statement released in January.
“The spirit of the [prototype testing program] is: Can we just develop more in the public and bring people in earlier?” Haider said. “We need more signal in the development process.”
Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey showcased the new app on his phone Monday in a tweet to his more than 4 million followers.
— jack (@jack) March 11, 2019
Features viewed positively by testers of twittr could make their way to the main Twitter service in the future. Those without access to the new app will still be able to learn about new features as the testers have been given permission to share their experience on Twitter.
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H/T TechCrunch