Have lots to say on Twitter? Well, soon some users will be able to literally say it out loud on the social media service.
On Wednesday, the company introduced “voice tweeting,” which lets you attach audio clips to your posts. Twitter is testing the feature to “add a more human touch” to the whole experience, given that most users are typically typing their thoughts.
“There’s a lot that can be left unsaid or uninterpreted using text, so we hope voice Tweeting will create a more human experience for listeners and storytellers alike,” Twitter said in a blog post.
The feature is first arriving for a limited group of iOS users today. But the plan is to begin rolling it out to all iOS users in the coming weeks.
Users will be able to access the feature when composing a tweet. First, type a few lines of text explaining your audio clip. Then at the bottom, press the new “wavelength” icon, which will let you begin recording.
(Credit: Twitter)
“Each voice Tweet captures up to 140 seconds of audio. Have more to say? Keep talking. Once you reach the time limit for a Tweet, a new voice Tweet starts automatically to create a thread,” the company added. When you’re done, Twitter’s app will send you back to the compose screen, where you can review the tweet and decide whether to publish.
The voice tweet will appear with the recording underneath. Viewers who see it can then click play to hear what you have to say. “On iOS only, playback will start in a new window docked at the bottom of your timeline and you can listen as you scroll,” the company added. “You can also keep listening while doing other things on your phone or on the go.”
The feature is an additional way to circumvent Twitter’s 280-character limit on single tweets. (The other way is to post a video clip or picture with a tweet.) According to Twitter product designer Maya Patterson, the company is hoping the new feature appeals to activists, journalists, podcasters, musicians and comedians who may have an amazing story they’d like to say out loud rather than type.
“Audio is packed with potential. We’re curious how people on Twitter might leverage it,” Gold said in a tweet. Expect the company to tinker with the feature as it receives feedback from users.
However, some users are already complaining. “I love you all, but I don’t want to hear any of your goddamn voices. Make a podcast,” tweeted the journalist Glenn Fleishman.
