Official Twitter app updated for iPad
A few months ago, Twitter announced that they had acquired Tweetie and the web (I refuse to use the word "blogosphere" because it is a stupid word) exploded with predictions that they had effectively killed off the market for 3rd party Twitter applications by offering a free alternative.
With the release of Twitter as a universal app that now includes iPad support (read the official announcement here) I feel confident that the reports of the death of 3rd party Twitter applications have been greatly exaggerated.
The UI for Twitter for iPad is, without question, unlike any other Twitter application that we've seen. Opinions around the TUAW offices differ on whether this difference is "awesome" or "an abomination." I definitely range towards the latter end of the scale, and judging by most of the comments of people that I follow on Twitter, the initial reaction is definitely one of "too busy" and "over designed."
This is in sharp contrast to Twitterrific, which just released a major update for the iPad and iPhone where the Iconfactory made dramatic simplifications to the app, while retaining the most important features for the most users. (Craig Hockenberry talked about those changes here.)
In the interest of full disclosure, Twitterrific for Mac was my first Twitter client, and I've purchased the app for iPhone and iPad as well. I even have a T-shirt and Ollie figure. You could say that I'm a big fan, but I'm a fan who has voted with his wallet.
But you know what my having-slept-on-it reaction is to the Twitter for iPad changes? "Good for them." I'm thrilled that the Twitter team has decided to push the UI envelope and try something completely different. No, it doesn't suit my tastes, but there are going to be loads of people who use it because it's free and the official app. I suspect they're going to get a ton of feedback on it. They may have more freedom and flexibility to experiment than any other Twitter app developer.
Oh, one last thing, Twitter: I do think it's lousy that you have included features in your app which aren't available to third parties, such as account creation. That seems unfair, and I hope it will be corrected soon.Share
A few months ago, Twitter announced that they had acquired Tweetie and the web (I refuse to use the word "blogosphere" because it is a...
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From what I can remember, people were this confused when "email" was first released. Just because a UI doesn't function like your basic webpage - everyone is complaining ... oh its too confusing... what am I to do?! Mommy mommy, please help me?!
Gosh. Get over it. Get used to it. I find it freekin cool.
The UI is a mess. It constantly feels cluttered, which isn't good. I'll be sticking to Echofon, fantastic minimal interface, and the integrated push notifications are a nice bonus
September 03 2010 at 1:06 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI actually quite like it. I agree there are several quirky but I'm keen to see how they refine the UI.
I like the swiping panels although I wish the far right panel disappeared entirely on first swipe rather than just partially and I am not a fan of the locked tweet feature.
I intend to use it as my primary Twitter app for a while and see how it holds up. Interesting if nothing else.
I rather like it. No other twitter app for the iPad seems to be satisfactory to me so I'll give this a try. Wish it synced though.
September 02 2010 at 4:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI like it but can't figure out how to get it to display names instead of user names.
September 02 2010 at 4:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyWhat a hot sliding mess!
Sadly the current version of Twitter for the iPad is a user interface nightmare, that is not at all intuitive, and unwieldily to use. The iPhone app finger slide to menu is gone, and one of my fave iPhone app features. And I thought Twittelator for iPad was misuse of interface. Why include sliding or other interface "eye candy" if it serves no other purpose than to "impress" rather than make the app intuitive, or easier to use. If I have to tap more times than I need to, to read or act on a Tweet ... what good are all the "effects". Plus I am now forced to use Twitter's URL shortening service? There are no other options for choosing bit.ly or any other service. What!!?? I can't change the size of type on a tweet? Really? Later!
After about 10 minutes of kicking the tires I said .... DELETE! Not worth the time or effort. Buh-bye!
Atebits' Tweetie for iPhone was an amazing app. And the current (Twitter) version still is. The interface was lightyears ahead of any other Twitter app. Too bad Twitter bought it. Let's hope that the iPhone interface remains the same.
Though I now use TwitBird Pro for both iPhone & iPad. I don't think I'll ever be going back to any other Twitter client.
I don't like it. It uses the portrait orientation in landscape. Quite annoying.
I prefer HelTweetica, which is free. A much better user interface.
Ok so if I tap on a tweet (on purpose or accident) it opens a bunch of stuff to the side... great.. but also that tweet is now selected/highlighted and if I scroll up/down that tweet sticks to the top or bottom of the screen. No big deal I can see how that can be useful... but.. how the freaking hell do I de-select it?? Do I seriously have to go to another tab like mentions/lists just to de-select a tweet??
September 02 2010 at 1:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThough your question may have been rhetorical ... yup. Pretty much. I have found no other way either.
And the "sticky" open tweet .... WTF!!!??? If I've read a Tweet, why in the world would I want to have it stick around, with its browser window attached! D'oh! The interface is confusing enough, why add extra visual noise.
Oh wait. It's supposed to be innovative. Yeah. Right. Not!
It's a complete mess.
No logic to where the sliding windows stop. They look ugly and you can't park them where logic suggests.
Opens all twit pics in browser not thumbnail. Few options to customize.
It's showing off first, function last.
I had to redownload Twitter today, as there was a goof up on my phone. (Not because of the update).
Twitter asked me for Push Notifications - theres many news websites detailing Twitter for iPad but no reference of Push Notifications. Do we finally get alerted to retweets, messages and @'s. now?
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