Image source: 9 to 5 Mac
Twitter and Elon Musk have been collaborating to alter the company’s commercial strategy with a strong emphasis on the Twitter Blue subscription service.
The social networking site formally debuted an improved version of Twitter Blue on Monday.
Elon Musk halted and postponed the launch last month, which resulted in the upgrade.
Apple service
For web users, Twitter Blue is $8 per month; however, Apple customers are in for a shock since the subscription costs them $11.
There is an additional $3 fee for iOS customers who purchase the subscription through the Apple App Store.
The increased cost reflects Elon Musk, the new owner, who recently voiced his displeasure with the tech giant’s 30% cut in digital sales generated by applications.
The cut
Musk began criticizing Apple in November for its decreased Twitter ad expenditure and its 30% cut in digital sales generated by applications.
The Tesla CEO also said that Apple has threatened to delist Twitter from its App Store.
Musk implied that he was “going to war” in a deleted tweet.
Additionally, he mentioned that he would design and build his own line of smartphones.
Apple’s reactions
Despite numerous provocations, Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, remained silent regarding Musk’s antics.
From a commercial standpoint, Twitter is just another app, and the tech giants don’t make much money from in-app sales.
Read also: Mortgage application shows positive movement amid falling interest rates
Government intervention
Republicans Ohio Senator-elect JD Vance and Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis offered Musk advice on how to pressure Apple.
DeSantis asserted that Congress should investigate Apple’s monopoly power if it carried out its threat to remove Twitter.
“You also hear reports Apple is threatening to remove Twitter from the App Store because Elon Musk is actually opening it up for free speech,” said DeSantis.
“And [Musk] is restoring a lot of accounts that were unfairly and illegitimately suspended for putting out accurate information about Covid.”
“If Apple responds to that by nuking them from the app store, I think that would be a huge, huge mistake, and it would be a really raw exercise of monopolistic power.”
JD Vance, meanwhile, expressed similar views and said:
“This would be the most raw exercise of monopoly power in a century, and no civilized country should allow it.”
Previous pullouts
Apple will likely discontinue the Twitter app if it eliminates platform fees for the tech giants.
To reduce Apple’s usual 30% share of sales, Fortnite introduced a feature in the iPhone app in 2020 that allowed players to purchase in-game currency directly from Epic Games.
Apple took Fortnite out of the App Store on the same day.
Later, Apple prevailed against the other party in a court battle.
But an appeal is currently pending.
Musk hopes to increase revenue through Twitter subscriptions as opposed to advertising.
The Apple decrease presents a considerable challenge for Twitter, which is cutting costs while carrying a substantial debt load.
The subscription
When an account is evaluated and approved, Twitter announced on Saturday that users with verified phone numbers would see a blue checkmark.
Users of the Blue plan will have access to exclusive features and services like editing tweets.
Twitter also promised users the following:
- Fewer ads on their timeline
- The option to post longer videos
- Priority in replies and mentions
The relaunch features a function that allows companies to get a gold checkmark.
Governments will have a gray checkmark in the meantime to stop impersonations.
Users can modify their username, display name, and profile photo, according to Twitter.
But doing so would result in them losing their blue check until their account was looked at again.
Elon Musk also disclosed that there would be other functionalities.
Early launch
Twitter Blue had a sneak preview launch in November.
Musk swiftly removed the service, though, as some users took advantage of the new feature by mimicking corporations, politicians, and celebrities.
One account tweeted that insulin was free while posing as the pharmaceutical company Eli Lily.
As a result, following the false announcement, the company’s stock price fell significantly.
The pharmaceutical firm AbbVie was also impersonated and experienced the same issue.
Although Musk promised a November 29 relaunch, the service was once again delayed.
Read also: Uber takes issue and files lawsuit against TLC to block driver wage hike
Musk
The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX purchased the social media network for $44 billion in October.
Since assuming charge, he has concentrated on Twitter Blue as a substitute for advertising earnings.
The “huge lever” and people’s power would be provided by the new verification mechanism, according to Musk.
Prior to his acquisition, Musk was a vociferous opponent of Twitter’s prior verification policy since it favored users like:
- Politicians
- Executives
- Members of the press
- Organizations
Other social media platforms, like Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, employ similar authentication processes.
Users who were verified under Twitter’s previous approach are now classified as legacy verified accounts that “may not be notable” with the advent of the new service.
Elon Musk stated on Monday that all legacy blue checks would be eliminated soon.
“The way in which they were given out was corrupt and nonsensical,” said Musk.
References:
Twitter Blue relaunches, now costs $11 per month if you subscribe from an iPhone
