Digital Trends
Social Media

Twitter extends its new timeline feature to Android users

Trevor Mogg
By —

Twitter has launched a new feature for Android that gives users more control of their timeline by letting them quickly switch between an algorithm-generated timeline and one that shows the most recent tweets first.

The same feature launched for iPhone in December 2018.

It’s super-simple to use, though first make sure you have the latest version of Twitter loaded on your phone. After that, a new “sparkle” button will appear at the top right of the display.

Tapping on it brings up a card at the bottom of the screen that lets you jump between the default “Home” setting, which shows the algorithm-generated “top tweets,” to the “latest tweets” posted by people that you follow.

If you leave Twitter in the latest-tweets setting but don’t go back to the app for a while, it will automatically switch you back to the Home setting for top tweets when you return. In that case, a short message will appear on the display telling you that you’ve been returned to the Home setting.

Twitter announced the new Android feature in a tweet on Tuesday, January 15.

Twitter had a go at ditching the latest-tweets timeline — also known as the reverse-chronological timeline — in 2016, replacing it with one that surfaced “in case you missed it” posts and top tweets. But the new timeline left some users confused, prompting many to call for the return of the more simple and straightforward latest-tweets style.

Last year the company responded by testing ways to offer both types of timeline, eventually coming up with the sparkle button which it hopes will satisfy the majority of its users.

“We’ve learned that when showing the best tweets first, people find Twitter more relevant and useful. However, we’ve heard feedback from people who at times prefer to see the most recent tweets,” the San Francisco-based company said last summer while testing the feature.

The Twitter community will surely be delighted that the company appears to be taking note of feedback when it comes to the usability of the app. Now we’re wondering if it’ll get around to launching a much-called-for edit button …

Editors' Recommendations

Don't Miss

The best gaming phones for 2019
Up Next

Apple's iPhone battery offer was reportedly way more popular than expected
facebook blood donation us rollout hub
Social Media

With its latest tool, Facebook is out for blood (donations, that is)

Facebook users in the U.S. will soon start seeing notifications when area blood centers are in need of donations. The newly expanded Facebook Blood Donation tool mixes alerts with details on where to donate, along with how to invite…
Posted — By Hillary K. Grigonis
how to use Instagram Stories
Social Media

Here's how to link your Instagram, Facebook accounts for social syncing

Instagram and Facebook go hand in hand. Here's how you can make the most of the superior integration offered by the two social media behemoths, which should help your pics gain more exposure in the long run.
Posted — By Brie Barbee, Alina Bradford
Home Theater

Shazam on Android no longer needs to hear songs to identify them

A new feature lets Android users give Shazam the ability to listen in on other apps, no microphone required. Called Pop-up Shazam, it can identify tracks even if you've got headphones plugged in. For now, it's an Android exclusive.
Posted — By Simon Cohen
stock photo of Firefox web browser
Computing

Paid browsers are the future, and Firefox might offer a better deal than Chrome

Just like Google, Mozilla is planning on offering premium web-browsing services. Unlike Google, however, it seems like Mozilla might have a better strategy for encouraging users to subscribe to its future premium plans.
Posted — By Anita George
Kik-hero
Mobile

Whether you speak best with emojis, GIFs, or words, you can chat with Kik

The easy-to-use Kik has the look and feel of an SMS text messenger, but with plenty of appealing perks. With only a user name as an ID, Kik lets you exchange messages, photos, videos, sketches, emoji, and more with others on the platform.
Posted — By Jackie Dove
Facebook Portal+ review
Smart Home

Facebook says new Portal video-chat devices are coming in the fall

A Facebook executive has revealed the company is gearing up to refresh its video-calling smart displays later this year. The Portal and Portal+ devices launched to lukewarm reviews toward the end of last year.
Posted — By Trevor Mogg
zuckerberg deepfake tests facebook zuckdeepfake cropped
Social Media

Will this deepfake of a power-hungry Zuckerberg make Facebook rethink fake news?

Just how committed is Facebook to earlier statements on leaving deepfake videos intact but demoted? A fake video of Mark Zuckerberg proclaiming power over your data has lasted for four days on the platform.
Posted — By Hillary K. Grigonis
facebook cambridge analyica privacy tool holding phone mem2b
Social Media

Here's how to unblock someone on Facebook when you've had a change of heart

Maybe you were a little too hasty blocking that one person on Facebook ... or maybe you just want to do a little spying to see what they're up to. Either way, you can fix the situation easily. Here's how to unblock someone on Facebook.
Posted — By Alina Bradford
facebook sharing content profilepic algorithm
Social Media

Need a new Identity? Here's how to change your name on Facebook

There comes a time when everyone must change their online name for one reason or another. Check out our quick guide on how to change your name on Facebook in under five minutes without all the expected fuss or digital hoops to jump through.
Posted — By Brandon Widder
Social Media

These are the best ways to make your own animated GIF to share

Love sharing GIFs with your friends and peers, but wish you could make your own? Here's how to do so in Photoshop, or using a few other methods that don't require you to shell out a premium fee with each calendar year.
Posted — By Gannon Burgett
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg | The future is private
Social Media

Facebook will pay to spy on you, but you can make more money elsewhere

Facebook's new Study app will track how you use your phone and provide that data to the social media giant. The company will even pay you for it — but likely not very much, especially compared to the market rate for your personal…
Posted — By Jenny McGrath
social media mark zucerberg with american flags
Social Media

Zuckerberg may have known more about Facebook’s privacy scandal than we thought

In the midst of an ongoing investigation into Facebook's Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal, a new report suggests that Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg may have known about the company's much-criticized approach to privacy.
Posted — By Hillary K. Grigonis
snapchat store hot dog plush
Mobile

Bored with your Snapchat username? Here's how to change it

We've all been there. You're setting up a new account and just type in whatever pops into your head as a username. Then, later on, you realize that was a mistake. Here's how to change your Snapchat username.
Posted — By Alina Bradford
snapchat offline data ads mem 2
Mobile

Get together with your buddies, talk, and play games with Snapchat's group chat

You can get your friends together for a good time, even if they are hundreds of miles away, by starting up a group chat on Snapchat. Here's how to make a group chat on Snapchat and get the party started.
Posted — By Alina Bradford