Twitter Spaces was launched in November 2020 to compete with Facebook’s Clubhouse. Any user with a Twitter account was allowed to join a space, but only Twitter account holders with a minimum of 600 followers were allowed to host a space. Now, a year after its launch, a few major updates have been released that are aimed at widening the reach of Twitter Spaces to users across the web. Most notably, Twitter says that accessing the Spaces section will no longer require a Twitter account.
Thanks to this update, users can share direct links to Spaces with others, and invitees can attend the sessions even without logging into their accounts. Users without Twitter accounts can also access Spaces via Twitter’s Web version.
However, there are a few restrictions to these changes. At the moment, these updates are limited to the web browser. It is expected that Twitter will extend this feature to its Android and iOS app in the coming months. Also, non-account holders will not have the option of hosting Spaces or engaging in conversations, but can simply access the audio. Twitter Spaces currently allows up to 13 members to speak in a single session (this includes a host and two cohosts).
Twitter has made several changes recently in the Spaces section to enhance user experience. All account holders, including those using the app version, can host a Space, even if the number of followers on their accounts is below 600. Another change has allowed hosts to record their audio sessions, which gives them access to the same for 30 days. The recording and replay features allow users to listen to audio conversations even after their conclusion. They are expected to arrive soon for Android users. In order to take advantage of the full set of benefits, it is suggested that users sign up for a new Twitter account.
Google Play is borrowing one of the Nintendo Switch’s most useful little tricks. A new Sidekick tool called Playbacks captures a short clip after something interesting has already happened, sparing players from running a screen recorder throughout an entire game.
Playbacks is part of Google Play Store v53.8 and keeps saved clips on the phone. Google first announced it earlier this month, but the new Play Store update marks its arrival for players. Anyone who has watched a perfect win vanish because the record button came too late already understands the appeal.
Samsung’s scandal over its Game Optimizing Service, or GOS, has returned with a bill attached. South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has tentatively fined the company 20.1 billion won, or about $15.1 million, over gaming claims made for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22, and Tab S8.
The regulator says Samsung promoted the devices as gaming powerhouses without disclosing that GOS placed preset CPU and GPU limits on certain demanding games. Samsung disputes that conclusion, calling GOS a legitimate way to manage heat.
Apple's next cheaper iPhone could get a brand-new processor while keeping its most stubborn display compromise. Digital Chat Station tips the iPhone 18e for a 2027 release with a 2nm A20 chip and a 6.12-inch OLED screen still limited to 60Hz.
The rumored camera setup includes a single 48MP rear camera and a possible 24MP selfie camera. There's new hardware to consider, but buyers hoping Apple would extend that upgrade generosity to smoother scrolling could be disappointed.