How would Elon Musk's "everything app" plan for Twitter actually work?
San Francisco, California - Elon Musk's deal for Twitter appears to be back on, and so is the tech billionaire's plan to reinvent the platform as a single place where users can access most of their favorite online services. Could he pull it off?
Musk confirmed that his stunning 180 on the Twitter buyout saga is part of a grand masterplan.
As news broke of his decision to go ahead with the takeover deal after months of public sparring with the platform – and just weeks before a legal case on the issue – the Tesla CEO tweeted that buying the site was "an accelerant to creating X, the everything app".
The South Africa-born entrepreneur has spoken broadly in the past about his support for a one-stop shop where users can access most, if not all, of their favorite online services and utilities.
It follows his previous commitments to allow absolute free speech on the platform and remove all spam or bot accounts in an effort to improve the conversation and make Twitter the world's "digital town square."
Will Twitter become like WeChat?
In China, a version of the everything app idea already exists.
WeChat, which began life as a messaging platform similar to WhatsApp, has since become a mini-internet within a single app – allowing users to do everything from share social media-style posts with friends, to getting news, making mobile payments, booking restaurants and ordering taxis. Nothing similar exists in the West.
Social media expert and industry commentator Matt Navarra said he was unconvinced by the proposal. "I'll believe it when I see it," he told the PA news agency.
"Super apps, as they are known in the industry, are not a new thing. They've been hugely successful in Asia, but have not really caught on elsewhere."
"Could Twitter form part of a super app that lets you buy goods, chat to friends, get news updates, book a taxi, etc.? Sure. Can Elon Musk make it work? Possibly. Will Elon actually do it? Who knows."
"He seems to have commitment issues," Navarra quipped.
Cover photo: REUTERS