Twitter's Evan Williams Hosts a Twitter Q&A

Samedi, 18 Septembre 2010 13:51

Twitter's Evan Williams Hosts a Twitter Q&A

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Twitter has no plans to launch its own official desktop client, but it is looking into adding a conversational view on its newly announced New Twitter web platform to help make sense of back-and-forth tweet exchanges.

No, the company won’t increase the number of characters allowed

in a post.

And yes, you will get to see the New Twitter in Sweden, and just about everywhere, as soon as the company can roll out the highly coveted upgrade to all of its estimated 160 million users.

So tweeted Twitter CEO Evan Willams in an hour-long exchange with users Friday, on the heels of a major overhaul of its service announced this week.

The new site, which features two panes and rich media such as embedded photos and video, was available immediately to only a small set of users. A worldwide roll-out is scheduled to follow incrementally. That decision apparently left legions of Twitter fans desperate to know just when they’ll get into the New Twitter club.

(Note: The following excerpts come courtesy of Danny Sullivan, who posted a transcript of the entire #askev Q&A at Search Engine Land, organized by topic.)

When’s the new Twitter rolling out to everyone?

We’re still only at small (but increasing!) % of people. Could be a few weeks for everyone. The account selection for #newTwitter is random and worldwide

How is the new Twitter being rolled out to users? Is it based on a random timeline, or by date of signup?

It’s random.

What’s the date that all users will have the #NEWTWITTER?

No specific date. Will be weeks, but we’re testing carefully to make sure it goes smoothly. Thanks.

Ashamed about promoting the new Twitter when not everyone can see it?

Not ashamed, no. Think about it like “coming to a theater near you.”

When will Boston area be getting #NewTwitter !!!

Depends on how the Patriots do this year. KIDDING! Soon.

When do we Swedes get the new awesome Twitter?

Some Swedes have it! It’s being rolled out worldwide randomly.

Fans also batted around suggestions to raise the number of characters allowed from 140 to 160, which is the standard in SMS, or even more (“Where would we put the username?” countered Williams. “Nope, sticking to good ol’ 140 for now. Thanks.)

Williams said the new Twitter will ultimately replace Twitter “classic” and fans will not have the option to roll back once the roll out is complete.

An Android app is in the works, he said, and the company is considering enabling SSL (an internet security protocol) and is looking at adding a tool to allow on the fly language translation.

Read the full transcript for more details, and don’t overlook this gem: