An X challenger didn\u2019t hide its ambitions to take on the social network formerly known as Twitter when it dubbed itself T2<\/a> at launch, but now that name \u2014 one which indicates a desire to build a Twitter clone \u2014 is no more. The company announced on its platform that the would-be X rival will now be called \u201cPebble.\u201d<\/p>\n The reasoning behind the name change was explained in a short message presented to Pebble users:<\/p>\n \u201cA pebble is something small and unassuming. It can be tossed into the vast ocean like a tiny message sent out into the world. Each has its own unique character. Some are round and friendly. Some have edges to them. They make ripples that expand ever outward and change the nature of the sea itself. As they collect onshore, they create a spectacular beach where people can gather and admire the view. It\u2019s a place we can visit and share ideas in times of joy, sadness, concern, and celebration.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> JPebble<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The social network said it never intended the name T2 to be permanent as they found it \u201ctoo derivative and a bit uninspired,\u201d the message also stated. And when they found the Icelandic top-level domain .is, they realized they could make a connection with their community by naming the site pebble.is.<\/p>\n That means T2 usernames will also reflect this rebranding, in the format of pebble.is\/[username].<\/p>\n In addition to the rebrand, Pebble has a new look that features its Pebble logo and a new \u201cIdeas\u201d that offers post ideas based on what you\u2019ve been chatting about, your bio and who you follow. You can dismiss any suggestion by tapping \u201cignore\u201d to skip it.<\/p>\n Image Credits:<\/strong> Pebble<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Despite the renaming, Pebble has already cloned many of Twitter\u2019s former features in the months since its debut, including the classic verification checkmark<\/a> \u2014 even giving people their \u201clegacy\u201d verification back \u2014 as well as other features like quote posts, DMs<\/a>, and its own For You feed.<\/a> Surprisingly, this has differentiated the network from other Twitter\/X rivals like Mastodon and Bluesky, as the former doesn\u2019t offer quotes or the same kind of private DMs that Twitter once boasted, and the latter doesn\u2019t offer DMs at all.<\/p>\n Founded by Gabor Cselle, who sold his prior companies to Twitter and Google, and Sarah Oh, Twitter\u2019s former human rights advisor<\/a>, Pebble is backed<\/a> by $1.1 million in funding. The funds are from a group of angels that includes Bradley Horowitz, Rich Miner and the former CEO of Wikipedia, Katherine Mah.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/pebble-2.jpg?w=680\")
<\/p>\n