Twitter restores free API access for emergency alerts, government, and public services

Photo: Jorge Urosa/Pexels

When Twitter opted to shut down its free API, this caused issues for public institutions that rely on this feature to disseminate information on the platform. The social network is restoring this free access to the app's programming framework for verified government and publicly-owned services that use the API for "critical purposes," including emergency notifications, transportation updates, and weather alerts.

The social network wanted to earn money from the use of its API. So, Twitter outlined a three-tier pricing strategy for its API in March. The free access was limited to bots and testers that only needed to write posts. It allowed just 1,500 tweets per month and one app ID, limiting the use for creators who need to make frequent updates. Meanwhile, the basic access costs USD 100 per month with fixed caps on tweets. And businesses need to use the multiple enterprise-level tiers, which could cost tens of thousands of dollars per month.

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Instagram plans to add music to Notes

Image: Meta

Instagram's Yahoo! Messenger-like Notes feature is getting music. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the company is testing a way to add music to Notes. Similar to how it's done on individual posts and Reels, you can select a portion of a song on your Note. And your friends will see the name of the song and the artist you're playing. Instagram is also testing a way to add music to photo carousels.

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Instagram tests music for photo carousels

Image: Mega

You might have seen this around your Instagram feed already. But, in case you missed it, Meta is testing out the option to add songs to your photo carousels. CEO Mark Zuckerberg mentioned on his Instagram broadcast channel that the feature is live in a "few countries with more to come." 

Instagram already lets users add songs to individual photos. But it makes more sense to do this on a photo carousel. We hope this gets a wider release soon.

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Google Docs gets emoji reactions in the comments

Image: Google

If you use emojis to react to messages at work, you can now do that with Google Docs. When you highlight the text you're commenting on, you can now “Add comment,” “Suggest edits,” or “Add emoji reactions.” There is now a new button on the bottom-right corner that gives you the picker for emojis. If someone left an emoji you agree with, you can just tap the emoji to add on. This feature is rolling out on the web in the coming weeks.

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