Twitter has released new versions of its mobile apps for Android and the iPhone. The updated apps bring a number of the micro-blogging site's new features to the mobile experience.
New features include autocomplete search, support for expanded tweets and ambient notifications.
With expanded tweets, users can view multimedia content within the tweet stream and read article summaries. This functionality is, however, dependent on Twitter's agreements with other Web sites and publishers.
Twitter's product manager, Sung Hu Kim, says the new versions of Twitter for iPhone and Android support push notifications.
“You can get notifications from people you follow whenever they send a new Tweet or Retweet, turn on push notifications for Tweets for any user via the action button on their profile, and edit these notifications in your account settings on your device.”
Ambient notifications are also now supported. These pop down while the user is on Twitter to remind them of chosen events, and alert them to other actions such as mentions and Retweets.
Ruffling feathers?
While the updates are fairly minor, and for the most part simply better translate the Web experience to mobile platforms, it has been noted that a number of the new features have previously been provided by third-party Twitter applications.
The new apps also update the look of the iconic Twitter bird - in keeping with the recent redesign. Other improvements to the interface include the ability to tap on avatar icons to be directed to that user's profile.
Taking control
Overall, the latest updates demonstrate Twitter's intention to improve its own product offering and take control over producing a consistent user experience by encouraging its user base to stick to the official Twitter applications.
At the end of June, Twitter consumer product chief Michael Sippey posted on the site's developer blog that the new features being added by Twitter highlighted the importance of providing “the core Twitter consumption experience through a consistent set of products and tools”.
“We're building tools for publishers and investing more and more in our own apps to ensure that you have a great experience everywhere you experience Twitter, no matter what device you're using.
“You need to be able to see expanded Tweets and other features that make Twitter more engaging and easier to use. These are the features that bring people closer to the things they care about. These are the features that make Twitter Twitter,” said Sippey.
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