With the introduction of version 5.0, the official Twitter app finally sees an updated user interface that more closely resembles the iPhone side of the app now. Before the update, both apps looked very different despite it being a universal app. With the new version 5.0, they both look very similar now with the iPad version being a bit more functional. This review will cover the iPad side of the universal app and not the iPhone part of the app. If you like the old version of the app, you may not want to install the update. If you’d like to install the update, I suggest backing up your iPad first to iTunes so that the old version of the app gets saved. This way if you don’t like the new version, just delete if off your iPad and reload the old version of the app from iTunes. If you don’t do this, you won’t be able to go back to the old version.
The main “feature” of the update is the new user interface. It still has the side menu but it’s more compact now and only features 4 icons. You can no longer view multiple accounts in this area anymore and will instead need to go to the Me tab and switch accounts from there. Also, Direct Messages have been moved into the Me tab as well but at least you’ll see a notification by means of a highlighted dot next to the Me tab when you do have a DM. Like the iPhone app, there is a new Connect tab that now not only shows mentions, it also shows interactions such as new followers and tweets that have been retweeted. The home tab isn’t too much different from the previous one. It’s just a bit cleaner looking and you can now tab on each tweet to expand it and view any embedded links of media that might mentioned in it. You also see any tweets that might be part of that conversation which is very useful.
The one thing I worried about with the new update was whether or not it would be as useful as the previous version. For starters, with the user update on the iPhone version, it lost some features when it was first redesigned and only just recently gained most of the features back. With this update, I can say that all the features are still there, just rearranged a bit. You can also now upload a “cover photo” for your profile similar to what Facebook has. All-in-all, a good update that most people should like, but again, I suggest you back up the old version first before installing the update just in case you really dislike the new user interface.
Twitter is available now in the App Store for Free. It is a universal app and is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.0 or later.
[via App Store]Description
Wherever you are, Twitter brings you closer.
Essential: An organized stream of Tweets that delivers the best content to you.
Instant: All the media, news, events, and information you need.
Personal: Your world, expressed in Tweets and photos.Search in real time. Follow people you’d like to know. Watch rising trends.
