
Source: LIONEL BONAVENTURE / Getty
Back in March, we reported that Twitter was testing its new Stories-like feature called Fleets in Brazil. Today (Nov.17), users launched their apps to see that Fleets has officially gone live globally on iOS and Android smartphones.
Fleets are Twitter’s answer to Instagram and Snapchat’s stories and allow users to post “disappearing tweets.” A Fleet could be a full-screen photo, video, plain text, or a reaction to a tweet that will only live for 24 hours. Twitter users will now see many circles similar to the Stories feature on Instagram, where they can view the individuals they follow Fleets.
With the arrival of Fleets, Twitter hopes it will encourage users to share more and post more content being that the Fleets disappear. Speaking on the new feature, Twitter design director Joshua Harris added:
“People feel more comfortable joining conversations on Twitter with this ephemeral format because what they’re saying lives just for a moment instead of feeling like it’s around forever.”
Fleets are not Twitter’s attempt at copying another social media company’s swag. Twitter also announced another new feature called Spaces, which is basically a carbon copy of Clubhouse, which gained popularity quickly among the masses. Spaces will allow users to join virtual rooms to engage in real-time audio conversations with each other.
Twitter product lead Kayvon Beykpour spoke about Spaces adding:
“It’s not a ‘Here’s an interesting startup doing something interesting. Let’s try and replicate it. It’s very fundamental for us. If we want Twitter to be a place where we can have thoughtful conversations, we need to support a wide spectrum of those conversations.”
Spaces will begin rolling out to select Twitter users at the end of 2020.
As you can imagine, Twitter’s users had thoughts about the new Fleets feature as well as Spaces on the horizon. You can peep them all in the gallery below.
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Photo: LIONEL BONAVENTURE / Getty
1. LOL
LMFAOO “from fleet to sheets, a Twitter love story” 😂😂😂😂😂
— JSJ🌐 (@MoveMaker_) November 17, 2020
2. Whoa
3. Oh no
Lol Fleet is the name of an enema brand
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) November 17, 2020
Well done, Twitter
4. Brilliant
Twitter adding fleets making me think about how my time with you fleeted by. I miss you and I would like to make some new fleet memories with you. you don’t have to respond, I just wanted to let you know.... pic.twitter.com/pCIJUaVvDu
— ❄️ (@2xtwale) November 17, 2020
5. Accurate
Everybody opening they Twitter this morning. #FLEET pic.twitter.com/S52jlApobD
— usopp🇲🇦 (@usopp007) November 17, 2020
6.
I like Twitter Fleet.. I’m glad it jacked that concept bc it’s my fav feature on IG & I’m definitely not on Snap. I do not like the idea of Twitter #Spaces. This place is a mess already. That’s gonna be hot ass mess for real. I’m here for it 🤣
— Majesty Ria ✨ (@ToriNicksWho) November 17, 2020
7. Interesting
Twitter is trying to position its new transient communication forms (Fleets and Spaces) as being tools to help avoid/decrease harassment and abuse but it feels like they're actually tools to get around accountability.
— Alexandra Erin (@AlexandraErin) November 17, 2020
8. Screaming
Nobody, absolutely no one:
— The Pizza Slut #BLM #ACAB (@TotalPizzaSlut) November 17, 2020
Twitter introducing Fleet: pic.twitter.com/NeuDTDRDqC
9.
Is anyone else kinda loving twitter right now !! This #Fleet IS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1VsDUV8YD3
— Broken Marcus Gray (@wolfkingvillian) November 17, 2020
10.
Twitter rolling out a Fleet button
— Brittany N. Williams: An L3-37 Fan Account (@BrittanyActs) November 17, 2020
Me: pic.twitter.com/Xco2K4l9HL