Social media updates and new features to know this week

A startup called Operation Bluebird has launched a new social network called Twitter.now, arguing that Elon Musk’s X gave up the rights to the Twitter name, the word “tweet” and the familiar bird logo when it rebranded, according to ARS Technica.

X sued the company last year to stop it. But a federal judge suggested that X may have abandoned at least some of those trademarks. There still isn’t a final written ruling on the matter.

Operation Bluebird has launched anyway. The new platform looks a lot like old Twitter, with tweets, replies and retweets. The outlet reports that every post can be analyzed by a Gemini-powered tool called Vera, which the company says can flag false information in real time.

We’ll keep you updated as more information comes out. Here’s what else is new.

What is X’s new API?

X launched a new API that lets businesses build chatbot accounts inside X Chat, its direct messaging service.

These bots can have their own handle and profile, and customers can message them to do things like make a booking, check an order or get a service update.

X says bot profiles will be labeled “automated by” the business that owns them.

The platform is also bringing back Lead Gen Ads, a format Twitter offered years ago before retiring it.

The new version lets advertisers add a call-to-action in promoted posts. In other words, when someone taps it, a form opens inside X, so users can share information without being sent to another website.

After someone fills out the form, X can pre-fill their information on future forms to make the process faster.

Brands can then use the ads to collect email signups, gather quote requests, build waitlists, etc. X says the format works with images, video and carousel ads.

How is Facebook changing Login?

Meta is testing a simpler Login feature to make signing into Facebook faster for users and easier for developers to maintain.

This will include a one-tap sign-in on Android and the web for people who are already logged into Facebook on their device.

On iOS, the platform is adding a background refresh that can keep Facebook login information current without forcing users to sign in again and again.

Why is TikTok launching a Substack newsletter?

As recently mentioned in our Daily Scoop coverage, TikTok launched a new Substack called The Creator’s Cut, built around people who use TikTok LIVE.

The company will let different creators share their experiences and processes, including how they got started, what they’ve built through LIVE and what they’ve learned with the goal to provide more insight on what it takes to be a successful creator.

The platform is additionally expanding its Out of Phone program across Europe, which puts TikTok creator videos in places like gyms, malls, bars, and more.

The company says it added six new media partners across the U.K., France, Belgium, Spain and Italy. One partner, Alight Media, will bring TikTok content to more than 4,500 digital screens in over 1,000 venues.

Brands will now be able to sponsor these videos or extend creator-led TikTok campaigns, giving social content a much wider life outside the app, the company says.

What are Meta’s new AI subscriptions?

Meta is adding two new paid AI subscription levels, Meta AI Core and Meta AI Premium, giving people more access to its AI tools, including greater capacity for generating images and video.

Core is essentially the middle option for people who want more than the free version but don’t need the highest priced plan.

Both subscriptions bundle in Meta’s paid Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus and WhatsApp Plus features, including verification and better account support.

Is Threads testing a new reward?

Threads appears to be testing a new way to highlight posts that perform well. App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi said he spotted a “post recognition” feature that could give users a virtual gem when their content hits certain engagement levels.

Threads hasn’t officially announced the feature yet though, so it’s unclear whether the gems would be badges or if they could eventually come other kinds of rewards.