Filed under: Hardware, Humor, Software, Internet, Internet Tools, Holidays
Gift Guide for the Twitter addict
From applications to new friends, finding the right gift for the Twitter addict isn't as easy as it sounds. They're just so busy with all that "tweeting" nonsense. Here are plenty of ideas at a variety of price points that should make your job as the gift-giver a little more pleasant.How do you know if you've got one on your list? Just answer a few simple questions. Does s/he
- Check Twitter immediately before going to bed? Possibly while in bed? From multiple devices?
- Have a stagnant blog, but a bulging Twitter stream?
- Stare at the display for hours at a time so as not to miss a landmark follower or tweet (like #500)?
- Added his or her Twitter handle to business cards, web sites, etc?
Apps
This one goes without saying. No self-respecting Twitter addict is going to want to load twitter.com every time the blue-winged muse strikes. There are several options. Twitterrific and TweetDeck are nice for the desktop, while Tweetsville , Twinkle and mobile Twitterrific are great for the iPhone and iPod touch.
- Twitterrific (Desktop) - Free ad-supported version, $14.95US premium version
- Twitterrific (iPhone/iPod touch) - Free ad-supported version, $9.95US premium version
- TweetDeck - Free
- Tweetsville - $3.99US
- Twinkle - Free
Update: Several of you suggested I consider Tweetie ($2.99US) as a Twitter client for the iPhone and iPod touch, which I did. It's very snappy indeed with lots of nice features, like trend monitoring, support for several accounts and more. It's really quite nice. Of course, this isn't a reivew of Twitter clients, but I'm still happy to add another to the list.
Reference
The Dictionary of Concise Writing will help you shorten those lengthy sentences. While you're at it, grab a copy of Webster's New World Thesaurus.
- Dictionary of Concise Writing - $14.95US at Amazon
- Webster's New World Thesaurus - $14.95US at Amazon
For babyThis one has limited appeal -- pregnant Twitter addicts -- but its awesomeness is universal. Geek and parent-to-be Corey Menscher designed and built the Kickbee while attending New York University. Basically, it's worn by a pregnant woman and sends a signal to a computer via Bluetooth whenever it detects her baby's movement. In turn, software on the computer sends a message to Twitter.
Now, Corey built the Kickbee as a personal project, but maybe if you ask really nicely, he'll tell you how to make your own. Maybe. OK, probably not.
- In utero tweeting - Priceless
Schwag
You may have friends who don't use Twitter. Lure them into the fold with cool schwag. There are several options for Twitter T-shirts. Secureshirts has some nice ones, and Ohana Daze offers customization. Of course, you can't wear a T-shirt to the board room, so bring a custom Friends Twitter Mug. Just supply your Twitter ID to create a mug decked out with your friends' pictures.
- Secureshirts - Around $12US
- Ohana Daze - $20US
- Friends Twitter Mug - $14US
Endurace
All that rapid typing will require stamina. Rope climbing is one of the best ways to improve one's grip and hand strength. The 10.8MM Dynamic Gym Climbing Rope is just like the one that tormented us back in junior high school. If only we knew how important those skills would be later in life ... for Twitter.
- 10.8MM Dynamic Gym Climbing Rope ($137US)
A new friend
When people think of Twitter, most imagine a little blue bird. Why not pay the ultimate homage to Twitter and pick up a blue parakeet? Just don't confuse its requests for food for a new message coming in.
- Blue parakeet - Prices vary, as does their love

![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)


Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Luke said 6:36PM on 12-16-2008
I know it's tough to keep up, but Tweetie is the latest & greatest Twitter client. As someone who's tried all of them, I highly reccomended it if the free apps start to feel a bit lacking.
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Brad said 6:48PM on 12-16-2008
Yikes, update those twitter apps. Where are Tweetie and EventBox?
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Dustin said 6:50PM on 12-16-2008
Where the heck is Tweetie?
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dirksierd said 7:20PM on 12-16-2008
Tweetie is missing?! That's the absolute best option for the iPhone!
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maique said 6:54PM on 12-16-2008
how could you forget tweetie, the best app in any platform ?
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KF said 6:55PM on 12-16-2008
Yeah, what happened to Tweetie? It's by far my fave Twitter app…
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S said 6:56PM on 12-16-2008
Tweetie for iPhone, Twitterific for Mac desktop.
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Tamal said 6:56PM on 12-16-2008
+1 for Tweetie. HUGE oversight!
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Joseph said 6:56PM on 12-16-2008
Twitterrific is a subpar product on both Mac OS X and iPhone, yet you include it and pass on Tweetie. For shame.
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Ryan said 7:01PM on 12-16-2008
Have to agree with most everyone else.... omission of Tweetie makes your app list kind of hard to take seriously. When was this list compiled?
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namenamename said 7:01PM on 12-16-2008
Tweetie is the fastest client for iphone, Eventbox is by far the most powerful native for the mac desktop. It also has RSS, FlickR and Facebook integration!! http://thecosmicmachine.com/
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Sam said 7:03PM on 12-16-2008
Another +1 for Tweetie. The best iPhone app for twittering, IMO.
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nick said 7:11PM on 12-16-2008
I like Twittelator on iPhone.
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Galley said 7:14PM on 12-16-2008
Has anyone mentioned Tweetie yet? That app rocks! ;-)
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Sahil said 8:04PM on 12-16-2008
Tweetie!
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fitzage said 7:38PM on 12-16-2008
How come all these lists of Twitter apps never mention Twittelator and Twittelator Pro?
Twittelator Pro is the best for me, partly because things like the reply button require only one click instead of going to a detail screen and then clicking reply like so many other ones.
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Jason said 7:37PM on 12-16-2008
For real, Tweetie is where it's at. http://bit.ly/uoVR
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Scott said 7:44PM on 12-16-2008
Don't bother with Tweetsville, it's not worth the $3.99 price tag since it continually crashes. Go for Tweetie and Twitterrific as both are far better Twitter clients for the iPhone.
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ryan said 7:49PM on 12-16-2008
Oh come on everyone, so he left off tweetie, big deal- that wasn't really the point. I don't think this was suppose to be a "what is the best twitter client forum." Did you read the rest of the post?
I totally want one of the friends twitter mugs. That's awesome.
Try to remember these posts are fun! It's not fun to tear it apart like hyenas.
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Amro said 7:52PM on 12-16-2008
another vote for tweetie
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