Here is my self imposed challenge
to find *The Ultimate* Twitter Client, the breakdown…
THE BACKGROUND what the heck is Twitter?
Twitter, founded by Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams was launched in July 2006. It is a social networking (and micro-blogging service) that allows users to post latest updates. Each update (or Tweet as its termed) is limited by 140 characters and can be posted these ways: web form, programs specifically designed to interact with Twitter, text message, or instant message. Some interesting user number information can be found at TechCrunch. Additionally this recent post found on Digg stated that “Micro-blogging service Twitter is gaining 5,000 to 10,000 new accounts a day and most of its users have joined this year (2008).” The full story on Psysorg can be read HERE.
THE WHY
When talking with friends and getting current information through Twitter, I find myself using several programs because they seem to have one or two features that I like. This is annoying. I want one application that meets all the requirements. Is this really to much to ask? I decided to make a list of things that I would like in the program, and then I am going to go through the list & map it out against what the program does.
THE WHAT
I will use each program for one week, during that week it will have the epic honour of going onto my Phone bar (see picture).
During that week I will not be using any other application. After that week I am going to post my review and opinions and then test the next application. Currently all the applications that I have planned to test are FREE from iTunes store.
There is only one paid for application, but this may change as my challenge continues. (I am really hoping one already installed will do the trick!)
THE STARTING POINT
This is my current starting screen on my iPhone. The applications I will be looking at over the next few weeks are:
Twittervision: just as an additional Twitter program, not for accessing your account, this is the map view program showing tweets by location.
Twitterrific
Twinkle
Tweeter, which is really just for posting, so it will be used in addition to another
Twittelator
Ziibii is multiple social networking accounts
Twitterlink which is a supporting program to helpp with links in your posts
TwitterTrend
LifeCast
Tweetie (This application is a PAID for app)
ShoZu again multiple types of accounts
Twitxr
Twitfire to post updates, this will need to be used in addition to another program
fring is for multiple types of accounts
THE CRITERIA
Here is the list of what I am looking for in the application. This is basically features in addition to what should be standard on all applications, the ability to read posts, to read just your replies (@) or just your direct messages (DM).
The ability to…
- favourite a tweet
- see your favourites
- follow a conversation
- look at profile information
- follow / unfollow (yes it happens)
- check number of followers / following / posts made
- use multiple accounts
- set how often it it checks your account
- track last read tweet and reload from there (as suggested from @caius)
- wipe function for delete (from @lukefromdubai)
- number icons to indicate number of unread tweets (also from @lukefromdubai)
- [EDIT] adding the red icon to indicate how many posts are ready to read, like on the mail application. That way you wouldn’t have to actually launch the application if you had no messages. Maybe even better if you could change the colour so that a green circle would indicate DMs for example.
Those are what I have thought about for now, I may add to the list slightly later. Are they the same as yours? Do you use different features then what I have listed? Do you use multiple accounts? Would those features make your *perfect* Twitter application?
If you have any additional things that you find important, or programs that I have missed, then please leave a comment, tweet me, or feel free to contact me. ~
If you have a second please answer the following:[poll id="2"]
WEEK ONE Twitterfon
I will be using TwitterFon for week one. The review of this application will be posted next week.
Tags: iPhone, review, Tweeter, twitter, Twitter application, Twitterfon