Twitter has made several changes to direct messages in recent times like removing the 140-character limit, allowing users to chat with strangers, adding the ability to send URLs and create groups and many more. The only major thing missing is a standalone direct messaging app, but even that gap has been filled now, although not by Twitter.
A standalone direct messaging Twitter app
So far, there is no information about whether Twitter is working on its own standalone direct messaging app or not, but some third-party developers are making an attempt at it. A developer has introduced an unofficial Twitter app called Direct Messenger, which serves just one purpose: exchanging messages between two users, says a report from TechCrunch.
Twitter users need to link this app with their accounts, after which they will be able to see a list of the direct messages they exchanged with others previously on the home screen. The app pulls out a list of followers by clicking on the compose button. Then the user must choose from several ways of communicating with followers. The users can include text, emoji, images, location and other elements. in their message. There is also a button to bring up a cute animated heart that floats all over the screen, says the report.
DM does the job well
The only problem with this app is that the recipients of the messages may not see the same thing the user of the DM app sees as these messaging formats are not supported by Twitter. If a user sends an image through the app to someone who is on Twitter but does not have the DM app installed, then all they will get is a link to the image with a message “Sent an image via Direct Messenger.” The problem is solved if both parties have the app installed.
Twitter’s API limitations lead to these shortcomings, but despite this, Direct Messenger “is a neat way to keep on top of a messaging format that’s growing in functionality,” says a report from The Verge.
Facebook is focusing a lot on its standalone chat app, Facebook Messenger, and Twitter is also adding new features to its DMs. But a standalone direct messaging app is something that has been needed for a long time. Direct Messenger, which can be downloaded for free from the iTunes store, does that job pretty well despite being an unofficial app.
