In a groundbreaking move, Twitter has undergone a significant transformation under the guidance of its owner, Elon Musk. With an astonishing surge in monthly users, surpassing 540 million, Twitter has soared to new heights in recent times. This growth is a notable jump from the previously reported 229 million monthly active users in May 2022. Musk, who took the helm of the platform in November 2022, has orchestrated several pivotal changes, including a substantial workforce reduction and appointing Linda Yaccarino as the CEO.
The Evolution of X
Accompanying the rebranding efforts, Twitter’s mobile application icon on both Android and iOS now sports the letter ‘X.’ This alteration coincides with the implementation of an update wherein users’ content, formerly known as tweets, is now referred to as posts. For instance, the recent release of Twitter 10.1.0-beta.1 on certain Android devices showcases ‘X Beta’ in place of the prior application name, com.twitter.android. Even Apple’s iOS devices reflect the new logo while retaining the platform’s original nomenclature.
Discarding the Old
Manifesting Musk’s vision of an all-encompassing app known as “the Everything App,” the rebranding approach aims to discard antiquated elements of Twitter. In this endeavor, an evident tweak is observed in the transition from the “Tweet” option to “Post,” evident in the bottom right corner of the homepage on X for Android. This transformation signifies Musk’s commitment to leaving behind the outdated and embracing the new.
While Musk’s rebranding endeavor appears promising, some legal obstacles may intersect the path of the X train. The letter X, widely utilized in various contexts, possesses the potential to become a legal point of contention. An example of this is Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook, with a 2019-registered federal trademark depicting a blue-and-white letter X, specifically pertaining to software and social media. Additionally, Microsoft has held an X trademark since 2003, predominantly related to communications concerning the Xbox video game system.
Experts speculate that legal action from these companies may not transpire unless they perceive Twitter’s X as a threat infringing upon the brand equity they have built with the letter. It is worth noting that Meta, formerly Facebook, encountered legal backlash from investment firm Metacapital and virtual-reality company MetaX during their transition, eventually reaching a settlement over their intricate infinity-symbol logo.
As Elon Musk continues to steer the rebranding journey of Twitter, the future remains uncertain. Nevertheless, the transformation of Twitter into X signifies an evolution towards Musk’s grand ambition of constructing “the Everything App.” Only time will tell whether this audacious undertaking will propel Twitter to unprecedented success or encounter unforeseen turbulence amidst the legal landscape.
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