Twitter makes it possible to DM someone without having to follow each other

“Can you follow me so I can send you a direct message?” That’s how a typical 140-character conversation that needs to go private begins if the two parties aren’t following each other. It was always annoying not being able to send private, direct messages to other people unless both parties followed each other, but now Twitter is changing that.

You can now set whether you want people to be able to send you a direct message regardless of follow status. Should you enable it, someone who wants to send you a direct message will see a button to do so when they visit your profile. You can also continue the conversation with a reply of your own even if that person has opted out of receiving direct messages from people they don’t follow.

Here’s how you go about doing it on the Android version of the Twitter app once you’ve received the update:

1. In the top menu, tap on the overflow icon


2. Select Settings and tap the account @username you’d like to adjust.


3. Under Other, tap Receive Direct Messages from anyone to allow anyone to send you Messages.

And there you have it — no more awkward “follow me and I’ll follow you” nonsense before two people are able to converse in the private, comfy confines of their digital message box.

[via Twitter]

When fanboyism goes too far: Android vs iOS argument results in two friends stabbing each other

There’s nothing wrong with being a mobile fanboy, for the most part. Sure, your bias sometimes keeps you blind to the positives provided by the other side and you make excuses for the fault of the platform you prefer, but at least arguments are typically lighthearted, healthy  and harmless.

The same can’t be said for two Oklahoma roommates. In what appears to be the resultant of drunken stupor on both sides, an Android user and his iOS faithful buddy began a conversation about which platform was better. Only, what started out as a conversation ended up in bloodshed as the two ended up stabbing each other with broken beer bottles, according to Tulsa, OK’s Channel 8 ABC news.

There’s no word on how the exact conversation went down, but it’s hard for us to believe that these two felt so strongly and passionately about their preference that they were driven to try and kill each other. This scenario is likelier:

Roommate 1: iOS just works! Rah!

Roommate 2: Oh yea? Well, Android phones have higher resolution displays and more RAM! Hoo!

Roommate 1: What did you say about my grams?

Roommate 2: What?

Commence brawling. Really, it’s hard to think it went any other way considering alcohol was involved. Whatever the case may be, we’ll use this opportunity to remind you that these phones and tablets are only slabs of metal, glass, plastic and silicon made by companies who want your money — they often aren’t worth arguing about, and they certainly aren’t worth dying for.

All 6 Star Wars films are headed to Google Play April 10th for $20 each

Many of the Star Wars junkies out there likely already have both the original and follow-up trilogies on DVD, VHS or Blu-Ray by now, but what about digital? Lucasfilm and Disney have been reluctant to go that route for quite some time, but those fears seem to have melted as all 6 Star Wars movies will be available for digital purchase online beginning April 10th.

Stores where the goods are available include iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and yes — Google Play. The films will cost you each to start, though that’s not much more expensive than these movies usually go in the digital realm. You can also snap up the entire collection in one fell swoop for .99, saving you about if you’re addicted enough to plunge for it all at once.

There is one unfortunate catch to this: these aren’t the original, unaltered films. They’re the “special edition” re-releases that change up a bit of the original sounds, dialog and visuals for purposes of remastering and fulfilling George Lucas’ original vision.

Star Wars purists (we’re talking about the hardest of hardcore) will likely have an issue with that, though those of you who don’t know right from wrong in this regard will likely be fine. You can place your pre-order right now at Google Play and expect the films to unlock as the calendar turns to April 10th.