As the leaves begin to change and the weather starts to wane (at least in select parts of the world), Discord is looking to make its platform all the cozier in the face of Fall. The team is working hard on delivering even more exciting and helpful features for users on one of the most trusted platforms, now averaging 150 million monthly active users.
The most prominent of all updates for Discord is streamlining and enhancing user experience on mobile. The firm boasts in a press briefing the faster launch times of 43% on iPhone and 55% on Android, allowing users to more easily and swiftly access the app without any hindrances. Mobile will also see several cosmetic changes, giving users the ability to change themes to a darker tone, or even midnight.
Mobile users will also notice updated search functionality and a new notification tab for ease of use when cycling through server messages. Notifications will be made far easier to parse through with actionable and auto-clearing functions. A revamped search function will also allow users to easily find content with tappable search filters for media, links, people, and more. Now users won't have to endlessly scross through settings to find the exact parameter needed, as it's getting its own search function, too.
Voice messages and media uploads on mobile will also see some incredible enhancements. Users can now easily just press a button, specifically the microphone icon found next to the emojis, which will allow for voice messages in select servers with them enabled, as well as in direct and group messages. Sent images and videos will also appear better organized with the contextual text for easier viewing.
Everybody loves memes, of course, and Discord is no stranger to meme-ifications. The mobile app will be getting an awesome Remix feature that lets users take photos, meme-ify them, and share them with friends. Select Nitro users already have access to the function now in early access, but Discord's Peter Sellis seemed incredibly excited for the masses to get their hands on Remix so they can start to meme-ify images to their heart's content.
Nitro users will also find a ton of new additional features to get excited about, including 19 custom Discord app icons, early access add-ons, and soundboard entrance sounds, which were used to striking effect during the Discord Fall Event Preview. These new entrance sounds can be likened to a baseball walkoff tune, with either music or a movie/TV quote being used as an extra oomph when you enter a call. Mine will most assuredly be Nicholson's Joker saying the iconic "Wait'll they get a load of me!"
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Discord developers will also find a host of new enhancements, like Premium App Subscriptions, which were rolled out in the US several weeks ago and will be available to eligible devs in Europe and the UK. Premium App Subscriptions gives developers a slew of tools, including end-to-end transactions, better SKU management, multiple payment options, and more. The firm details in its own blog the "vibrant ecosystem of over 750k third-party apps globally," a staggering number that will only grow in tandem with Discord's continued improvement.
On the topic of said apps, Discord is also making them far easier to use with a variety of enhancements, namely Activities outside of voice channels, more intuitive app launches, and streamlining bot functionality. While some of these enhancements will still take some time, Discord explains how users can head over to the App Directory to find their next favorite experience or utilize the Activities function in a Voice Channel by using the rocket ship icon for more fun in all the right places.
(Photo: Tech Times)
Most exciting of all for some users is the forthcoming Shop on Discord, where everything from profile accessories to avatar decorations will live. Nitro subscribers were already privy to the store over the past month, but soon (an as-of-yet unspecified date) non-Nitro users will be granted access with discounts available for Nitro subs.
Last but certainly not least, Discord is adding better safety precautions and parameters to make Discord a more friendly environment. The firm highlighted its Teen Safety Assist function, which will ensure young adults are kept safe and secure through set protocols, like alerts and filters. The first two of several included features under the Teen Safety Assist initiative will be launched in the coming weeks, including sensitive content filters and safety alerts.
Discord will also be making guidelines more transparent for rule-breakers. A newly enhanced Warning System will soon be set in place, allowing community guideline violators to see specifically what rules were broken and how best to amend the issue. This new system will include easily accessible details on account standing in settings, as well as receiving detailed information about their misuse of the platform in a DM that includes a host of additional info.
