VOA慢速英语--推特公测了名为“舰队”的24小时消失的推文功能

Twitter has launched a new feature that lets users post tweets that disappear after a day.

The social media company calls the new tweets "fleets." The word fleet is an adjective meaning very fast or quick. Fleets can be sent as written messages, pictures or videos.

Twitter says it decided¹ to add the feature after some users expressed concerns about the current tweeting system.

"Some of you tell us that tweeting is uncomfortable because it feels so public, so permanent," the company said Tuesday in an announcement on its website. Some users also feel a lot of pressure to receive large numbers of likes and retweets, it added.

Fleets cannot be retweeted and will not have likes. The only way a person can answer or comment on a fleet is by sending the user a direct message. This prevents any back-and-forth communication between users from becoming a public discussion.

"To help people feel more comfortable, we've been working on a lower pressure way for people to talk about what's happening," Twitter said. Fleets were launched "so everyone can easily join the conversation in a new way – with their fleeting² thoughts."

The new Twitter feature comes long after other social media services – including Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram – added the ability for users to send disappearing messages. Such messages have become increasingly popular with social media users looking for smaller groups or more private messaging.

The company had been testing the feature in Brazil, Italy, India and South Korea before launching it worldwide.

"Those new to Twitter found fleets to be an easier way to share what's on their mind," the Twitter statement said. "Because they disappear from view after a day, fleets helped people feel more comfortable sharing personal and casual thoughts, opinions, and feelings."

However, some Twitter users who experimented with the feature said they were worried that the tool may create new possibilities for online abuse. For example, they said fleets could permit the sending of unwanted direct messages. The feature also permits fleet writers to "tag" people who have blocked them.

A Twitter official told Reuters news agency it was listening to suggestions from users and would work to fix safety concerns like the blocking issue.

Twitter and other social media companies are under pressure to do a better job of preventing abuses and limiting the spread of misinformation on their websites.

Another new Twitter feature set to launch to all users next year is the "voice tweet," an audio recording³ that takes the place of a written message. The company's product designer, Maya Gold Patterson, said many users feel Twitter's 280-character message model is too limiting.

"And sometimes tweeting isn't the right way of communicating at the moment," Patterson said. "So we were interested in exploring how audio could help add an additional layer to the public conversation." The feature has been tested in recent months.

Twitter also confirmed plans to launch a live audio feature, called "Spaces." This tool will permit users to talk in public, group conversations. It is similar to Clubhouse, a social service in which users are invited to hold conversations in voice chat rooms.

Words in This Story

feature – n. a typical quality or important part of something

uncomfortable – adj. causing a feeling of unease or worry

conversation – n. a talk between two or more people, usually an informal one

casual – adj. relaxed, not serious

tag – v. to choose for a special purpose

character – n. a graphic⁴ symbol, such as an alphabet letter, used in writing or printing

audio – n. related to the recording or playing of a sound

chat room – n. a place on the internet where people can hold discussions with other people

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 fleeting   

adj.短暂的，飞逝的

参考例句：

• The girls caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.女孩们只匆匆瞥了一眼司机。
• Knowing the life fleeting,she set herself to enjoy if as best as she could.她知道这种日子转瞬即逝，于是让自已尽情地享受。

3 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

4 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。