Twitter private messaging character-limit increased from 140 to 10,000

Looks like, Twitter is betting big on private messaging. In its developer blog, the company has announced it would get rid of the 140-character limit on direct messaging. It will now allow users to send direct messages that are 10,000 characters long.

Now, if you are wondering if your tweets will soon support more than 140-characters, then the answer is a clear ‘no’. “You may be wondering what this means for the public side of Twitter. Nothing! Tweets will continue to be the 140 characters they are today,” the company wrote in a blog.

Needless to say, with the fierce competition in the messaging space with the likes of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, the company sure knows instant messaging will be a big deal in the future. However, the new changes won’t come until July. Moreover, Twitter has some recommendations to ensure that the apps and services can handle the longer messaging format. The blog asks users to, “review API additions, update your GET requests so you will be able to receive the full length of DM text and adjust your app UI to accommodate longer DM text.

Interestingly, this piece of news comes on the same day as co-founder Dick Costolo decides to step down as the CEO. Co-founder Jack Dorsey, who served as CEO during Twitter’s early years, will temporarily take the reins while the San Francisco company looks for a permanent replacement. Investors greeted the move with enthusiasm, driving Twitter shares up nearly 6 percent in late trading after the announcement Thursday afternoon. Both Dorsey and Costolo, however, expressed confidence in the company’s direction and said the board isn’t seeking major changes.

Asus Chromebox launched in India at Rs 90,000

Google along with Asus has launched the all new Chromebox for business in India at Rs 90,000.A Chromebox is a PC that runs Google’s Chrome OS, also known as the desktop variant of the Chromebook laptop. It is targeted at the education sector.

Asus Chromebox features full video conference solution including Full HD 1080p video camera, a combined microphone and speaker unit and a remote control. It allows initiating conferencing with just one click to share your screen, documents wirelessly.

It is powered by a fourth-generation Intel Core i7-4600U processor coupled with Intel HD Graphics 4400 and 4GB RAM. The connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.0, 2-in-1 card reader, 2 x USB 3.0, HDMI, RJ45 LAN, DC-in port, display port, and audio jack.

“The Chromebook was launched in India a year ago. Now we are launching three new Chromebooks,” Smita Hashim, global product manager, Chrome OS said.

Besides, the company has also launched two Chromebooks at Rs 12,999 each, after teaming up with Xolo and Nexian. Google also plans a third Chromebook from Google, but it will be launched in a couple of months.

LG launches G Flex 2 for Rs 55,000, to launch LG Watch soon

LG Wednesday expanded its smartphone line-up with the launch of its second curved smartphone, G Flex 2, and priced it at Rs 55,000. 

The LG G Flex 2 has a 5.5-inch curved Full HD display powered by a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and a 3100 man processor. The Android Lollipop phone will come with a 13MP rear camera with optical image stabilization. 

The smartphone supports FDD LTE technology equipped 4G networks. 

The company has also announced its first 4G LTE equipped luxury smartwatch, LG Watch Urbane LTE, for the Indian market. Soon Kwon, Managing Director of LG India, told ET the company would be making this smartwatch available soon in India at Rs 30,000. 

The stainless steel Watch Urbane will work with Android phones. It has a 700mAh battery, which is 1.7 times bigger than the G Watch R. The watch also features NFC and smart wallet functionality, and has a bevy of sensors including a gyroscope, accelerator, compass, atmospheric pressure, heartbeat, and GPS. 

LG also announced the availability of the world's first 5K television in India with the magic remote and running TV Web OS. The premium television will be priced Rs 59,99,900. 

These devices were part of the 200-odd products showcased by the Korean company as a part of its annual tech show in Delhi.