- The Verge
VIVA – Elon Musk said that he is ready to compete with tech giants Google and Apple, if Twitter is kicked out of the Google Play Store and Apple Store. Elon Musk has a simple plan to create his own smartphone as alternative.
Musk wrote a tweet on Friday, November 25, 2022, he is willing to "make an alternative phone" to compete with Apple's iPhone if the tech giant ends up blocking Twitter from its powerful App Store.
Some users expressed their thoughts on Musk's post. One netizen was convinced that he would revolutionize smartphones. While others feel that this plan is already underway.
"I will buy your phone in just 2 seconds. I'm so sick of iPhone and android and desperately need an alternative," another user responded.
Elon Musk.
- Expat Guide Turkey
Meanwhile, Elon Musk on Friday said that Twitter plans to relaunch its premium service that will offer checkmarks of different colors, in a new move to revamp the service after a previous attempt backfired.
Twitter previously suspended the premium service, in which Elon Musk gave a blue tick label to anyone who paid US$8 per month. The program had to be discontinued due to a wave of fake accounts.
Initially, a blue tick or verified account sign was given to government entities, companies, celebrities, and journalists verified by the platform to prevent impersonation.
In the latest version, corporate groups will get a gold tick, governments will get a gray tick, and individuals who pay for the service, celebrities or not, will get a blue tick.
"All verified accounts will be manually authenticated before the checklist is activated," Elon Musk said.
Moreover, the service will be released on December 2 and more details will be said on that day.
Twitter had delayed the updated premium service a few days after its launch earlier this month because several corporate accounts were impersonated, including pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co., Nintendo, Lockheed Martin, even Musk's businesses, Tesla and SpaceX, along with various professional sports and politics.
On Thursday, Elon Musk also said he would grant amnesty for suspended accounts, following the results of an online poll he conducted on whether accounts that did not break the law or engage in egregious spam should be reinstated.
