Update: Only a few days after we posted this and it looks like Twitter plugged the hole...so if you have an animated GIF, keep it. If you wanted one for Twitter, you're out of luck!
Yesterday we reported on the new update for Tile Me! that now allows you to create an animated GIF in addition to a static Me Tile image. The purpose of the app is so that you can use the generated image for your social network profiles, spreading the Windows Phone love.
While the animated GIF addition was the second most requested feature from users, quite a few of you were asking where could you actually use it? As it turns out, you can use it on Twitter, though there’s a unique trick to it.
For one, the generating GIF must be less than 700kb. The other caveat is you need to use a special Twitter link to change your profile photo. So without further ado, here are the steps on how you can get a bouncing Me Tile for your Twitter profile.
Steps for creating an animated GIF for your Twitter profile:
- Generate animated GIF using Tile Me! (only in the paid version)
- If your generated GIF is larger than 700kb, go here: http://www.gifreducer.com
- Save the file to your computer
- Use this (and only this) link to modify your Twitter profile image: https://twitter.com/welcome/profile
- Click 'Done'
The end result should look like the one on my account: twitter.com/Daniel_rubino, which now has a bouncing Live Tile just like on my Windows Phone.
Crass? Cheezy? Maybe even a tad annoying? Perhaps, but we’ll leave that judgment to you and your associates. For now you can use these steps if you want to be a part of the cool crowd (that’s what we’re telling ourselves, at least).
For what it’s worth, Ertay Shashko, the developer behind Tile Me!, plans on adding a low-resolution GIF option in the app to remove at least one of these steps.
You can pick up Tile Me! with animated GIF ability here in the Store. $0.99.
Thanks, zhoulhas, in comments for the tip!
Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft here since 2007, back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Microsoft Surface, laptops, next-gen computing, and arguing with people on the internet.
