Twitter has officially confirmed that it is working on an edit button, and the feature will be trialed in the coming months to see “what’s possible”.
It’s pretty fair to say that it’s been one of the most-demanded features since the social media application was first founded, and now, Twitter has finally confirmed what users have been waiting all this time for – the ability to amend already-published tweets via an edit button is in the works, and trials are soon to start.
Twitter first appeared to reveal it was working on the feature in a viral tweet on April Fool’s day last week, but users understandably brushed it aside and presumed it must just have just been a joke given the date.
But now, it seems like there was truth in it all along.
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The announcement that the function is now in the works came after billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk – who is now Twitter’s single biggest shareholder, after buying a 9.2% stake in the company worth almost $3 billion earlier this week – sent out a poll on the platform asking users if they wanted an edit button.
More than 4.4 million people responded to his question, with 73.6% voting for the function and 26.4% voting against it.
Twitter’s communications department took to the platform yesterday to announce that an edit function is planned and currently being worked on, however, it has denied that this is as a result of Musk’s question poll.
“Now that everyone is asking… yes, we’ve been working on an edit feature since last year.” Twitter said.
“No, we didn’t get the idea from a poll we’re kicking off testing within @TwitterBlue Labs in the coming months to learn what works, what doesn’t, and what’s possible.”
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As confirmed by Twitter, the edit function will first be trialed by Twitter Blue users – which is the platform’s premium monthly subscription service that operates in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with users paying to get access to premium features and app customisations.
No word has been given as to whether the trial will be rolled-out to other users in due course.
The company’s head of consumer product, Jay Sullivan, said an edit button has been the “most requested Twitter feature for many years”.
He explained that people “want to be able to fix (sometimes embarrassing) mistakes, typos and hot takes in the moment,” however, there has been some concerns raised about how the edit function will work.
People are concerned over whether it’ll be “misused”.
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“Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation,” Mr Sullivan said.
1/ We’ve been exploring how to build an Edit feature in a safe manner since last year and plan to begin testing it within @TwitterBlue Labs in the coming months. Sharing a few more insights on how we’re thinking about Edit 🧵 https://t.co/WbcfkUue8e
He continued: “Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work, therefore, it will take time and we will be actively seeking input and adversarial thinking in advance of launching Edit.
“We will approach this feature with care and thoughtfulness and we will share updates as we go.
“This is just one feature we are exploring as we work to give people more choice and control over their Twitter experience, foster a healthy conversation, and help people be more comfortable on Twitter.
“These are the things that motivate us every day.”
Free roses are being handed out at a Manchester train station this Valentine’s Day
Danny Jones
In an effort to spread the love this Valentine’s Day, free roses are being hands out to commuters at a Manchester train station this week.
Add that to the ever-growing list of why we absolutely adore this place.
Not everyone is coupled up come the most mush day of the year, nor do they need to be – self-love, Galentine’s and even just a whoelsome pint or two with the boys – but it’s nice to see Greater Mancs going out of their way to make things nicer for each other.
In our eyes, in a relationship or otherwise, this day is just about sharing the love with everyone and if you happen to arriving or leaving Manchester (excuse me, why would you ever?) from Victoria station this Friday, you could be in for a lovely little surprise.
The brains behind the touching little gesture is the city’s legendary live music and entertainment space, AO Arena.
Although many arrive at the venue via the Trinity Way Tunnel on the other side of Arena, the AO is already directly attached to Victoria by a simply set of stairs, meaning you can arrive in the city centre via train or tram and arrive directly at your destination.
It’s also one of the busiest stations in the North West, so for commuters looking to start the day with a little love, whether that be to treat their significant other, brighten a colleague’s day or just make themselves feel good, these roses are set to be handed out on Valentine’s Day morning.
100 of the most romantic flowers will be up for grabs from 8am at Manchester Victoria Station on a first-come, first served basis, naturally, Simple as that – but it gets better…
There is also an exciting chance to win a handful of surprises, including free tickets to a show at the arena, which will be given away with a select few lucky roses.
This year marks an extra special milestone for the AO Arena, as they are celebrating thirty years of spreading joy in the city as Manchester’s longest standing large music venue.
With that in mind and tying together the arena’s history and love for entertainment, each rose will be individually wrapped in a special 30th birthday edition print.
This design features the names of all artists and acts who have performed there over the last three decades; consider it just a small token of AO‘s love and affection for 0161, wrapped in nostalgia.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Manchester – you’ll always be ours x
Hundreds turn out for dying guide dog’s final walk along Blackpool seafront
Emily Sergeant
Hundreds of people and their pets gathered on the Blackpool seafront for a terminally-ill guide dog’s final walk.
‘Ginger prince’ Labrador retriever Ian had been working hard guiding his owner, Mark, through the world and providing him with the independence needed to take on each day, and was not long off his retirement and getting to spend the rest of his days in a loving home.
One Ian got to around 10, he was set to hang up his harness and go on to live with his former Puppy Raiser, Gemma Fairhurst, along with her family and her other guide dog pups in training, so that Mark would still get to keep in touch with Ian and Ian would get to pass on his wisdom and teach the youngsters how it’s done.
But sadly, this plan won’t become a reality, as Ian was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Hundreds turned out for a dying guide dog’s final walk along Blackpool seafront / Credit: Gemma Fairhurst (via GoFundMe)
Vets told Mark and his wife Kerry around Christmas 2024 that Ian would sadly only have four-eight weeks to live.
Once Ian’s owners got in touch with Gemma to tell her the devastating news, she knew she had to do something to honour and celebrate him – and ultimately, raise funds for Guide Dogs to name another puppy Ian once he’d passed.
So, Gemma and Mark planned one last special walk for Ian along the Blackpool Promenade – the place he called home.
More than 200 people and 80 dogs joined in the walk / Credit: Sarah Summerton (via Guide Dogs)
“He’s led such a wonderful life and brought happiness to Mark and Kerry, but also to everyone that he’s met,” Gemma explained in her fundraiser.
“For me, he’s changed my life, and in many ways, he’s saved my life. He gave me the strength to carry on and he’s given Mark love and support that cannot be measured… so I’d like to raise the money it takes to name another guide dog, and the most perfect name I can think of is Ian.
“The cost to sponsor and name a guide dog is £5,000, so that’s what I’m trying to raise.”
The ‘big old doggy walk’ took place this past Sunday (9 February) from 2pm, and was open for any and everyone who would like to come along… and come along they did, as more than 200 people and 80 dogs arrived to walk along the seafront.
The walkers all contributed towards the ‘5,000 steps for £5,000’ target, with Ian leading the way at the front and being pushed along in a special troller by Mark and Gemma.
For the last leg of the journey, Ian even got out of his stroller and walked along the Promenade himself, with the walkers creating a guard of honour for him.
Ian’s story touched the heart of so many people across the North West, that Gemma absolutely smashed her target of £5,000, and at the time of writing, has raised more than £7,230 to name another guide dog puppy Ian.
Gemma said she’d been ‘overwhelmed’ by the support she’s received, and that people from all over the region turned up – including other guide dog puppies she raised in the past.
Emily Sergeant -
6th April 2022 
