Twitter’s closed caption toggle is now available on iOS and Android Captions are coming to Twitter’s video player for everyone on iOS and Android. Users will now be able to use a button to toggle captions, letting you decide whether or not you’d like to see subtitles. This feature started testing in April and is a big win for accessibility on the platform. However, the button will only appear on videos with available captions and is not related to the automated caption system. The hope is that the toggle will encourage anyone uploading a video to Twitter to consider adding captions.
Video captions or no captions, it’s now easier to choose for some of you on iOS, and soon on Android.
On videos that have captions available, we’re testing the option to turn captions off/on with a new “CC” button. pic.twitter.com/Q2Q2Wmr78U
Snapchat launches mentorship and funding programme for 25 Black creators Black creators on Snapchat are getting a boost, with 25 lucky users receiving funding, mentorship and other resources through a one-year accelerator programme. Participants will receive $10,000 per month for a year to ‘support the applicants’ creative endeavours’. They’ll also be invited to give their thoughts and feedback on new Snapchat features and be offered mentorship opportunities. Applications are now open, closing on 12th August.
Instagram is testing a Notes feature Disappearing content is a key feature on platforms like WhatsApp and Snapchat, and now Instagram is getting on board, testing a new feature called Notes. Notes allow users to post quick ramblings or announcements to their ‘close friends’ circle or to followers who also follow them. It works like a sticky note, with the content disappearing after 24 hours. Currently in testing, it’s thought that Notes will be able to be up to 60 characters in length. Watch this space for notable Notes updates.
Twitter partners with Shopify E-commerce is continuing to step up a level on Twitter, with the platform now partnering with Shopify to launch a sales channel app. The app allows Shopify merchants in the US to onboard themselves to Twitter’s Shopping Manager. Shopping Manager is the dashboard where sellers can access product catalogue tools, as well as enable other shopping features for their profiles. After linking their Shopify and Twitter accounts, merchants can use the new app to sync their product catalogues to Twitter.
Instagram tests new age verification tools Don’t look a day over 18? Well, that may be an issue, as Instagram is testing a new set of features designed to verify ages when people claim to be over the age of 18. Currently being tested in the US, video selfies, vouching from adult friends and providing an ID are all new ways that users may be able to verify their age. There are two basic use cases for this new verification system: adults who have registered as teens by mistake and trying to enter their correct age; and teens who are trying to circumvent the platform’s age-appropriate restrictions.
