{"id":16806,"date":"2010-04-10T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2010-04-10T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.razorianfly.com\/?p=16806"},"modified":"2010-04-13T18:22:01","modified_gmt":"2010-04-13T17:22:01","slug":"twittelator-for-ipad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arronhirst.com\/blog\/2010\/04\/10\/twittelator-for-ipad\/","title":{"rendered":"Twittelator for iPad"},"content":{"rendered":"
\niPad Integration [rating:4\/5]
\nUsability [rating:4\/5]
\nUser Interface [rating:5\/5]<\/p>\n

[rating:overall]<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

With the introduction of the iPad comes a new flood of applications across all categories.\u00c2\u00a0 The larger screen and added horsepower of the iPad empower developers to push the envelope and create new and exciting interfaces.\u00c2\u00a0 Twittelator truly capitalized on this opportunity to think outside the box and offer up a highly unique UI that not only pleases the eye, but makes using Twitter easier given it’s ever expanding feature list. <\/p>\n

Leaving it’s blocky iPhone interface behind, Twittelator for iPad gives Twitter the almost organic Apple-like polish it so desperately needed.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 The screenshots alone persuaded me to plop down the $4.99 in a flash.\u00c2\u00a0 Being that I had used the iPhone client before and loved the outstanding feature set it offered, I knew I would love their iPad version – even if they held off on a few other features due to the tight development timeframe.\u00c2\u00a0 Boy was I right.<\/p>\n

After launching the app and setting up my 4 Twitter accounts – multiple personality disorder if you were wondering – I was brought to the main screen which felt “just right.”\u00c2\u00a0 one of the features listed on the store page was the option to configure a custom wallpaper and oh how I do love to customize the look of apps.\u00c2\u00a0 The stock wallpapers are very stylish and hold true to Apple styling.\u00c2\u00a0 After choosing the hardwood option, I instantly felt like I was at my desk with little pieces of Twitter laying on it.<\/p>\n

The landscape view consists of a timeline view on the right, a menu bar on the lower left and a floating window space just above the menu bar.\u00c2\u00a0 As menu items are selected, the window above flies out and the selected window flies in – awesome!\u00c2\u00a0 This is just what I was expecting out of the newly developed iPad apps!\u00c2\u00a0 Even the mentions window has a great little envelope laying on it adding character to what could have been just a simple table view.<\/p>\n

Styling like this is found all throughout the application too.\u00c2\u00a0 Take for instance the profile view of a user.\u00c2\u00a0 A paperclip holds the users avatar\/icon to the window in a very light hearted manner.\u00c2\u00a0 Their attention to details like this are a testament to how in touch they are with the eye appeal that the iPad can obtain.<\/p>\n

In my eyes, the only let downs were the composing window, and the portrait view layout.\u00c2\u00a0 The composing window, which sits above the keyboard, is too small.\u00c2\u00a0 This could be a bit more elegant much like the rest of the app.\u00c2\u00a0 Additionally, the false text bubble found at the top of the timeline window could be replaced with an equally elegant “compose button” that would call up the keyboard.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s just a bit confusing since it never contains text.<\/p>\n

Contrary to the perfect landscape layout, the portrait layout yields a less productive experience.\u00c2\u00a0 The timeline is only shown as a button that when pressed, drops down a scrollable window much like that found in the Mail app.\u00c2\u00a0 It seems to me that the screen real-estate could be optimized here, however, I find that the landscape mode is much more efficient in both typing and viewing in a relaxed position.<\/p>\n

Functionally speaking, Twittelator is jam packed with awesome features including List support, now playing support, hash tag and @reply history support, media upload, preferred RT formatting options, and more.\u00c2\u00a0 If history is to repeat itself, we are likely to see a huge influx of feature additions in coming updates.\u00c2\u00a0 The developer strives to pack in as much functionality as possible and the iPhone client is a great example of this. \u00c2\u00a0Like its paid iPhone counterpart, multiple accounts are supported, but I kinda feel like its not easy enough to switch between accounts when composing.<\/p>\n

Twittelator offers unsurpassed design and elegance that only the iPad can support; it’s a match made in heaven.\u00c2\u00a0 While some of the portrait UI can benefit from a revisit, the landscape mode clearly beats the competition by a long shot.\u00c2\u00a0 While other clients are simple offerings and basically bigger versions of their clients, Twittelator is a clean-cut re-designed offering, giving you (in my opinion) the best experience ever seen for Twitter client, so far.<\/p>\n

Buy this app on iTunes<\/a> for $4.99.<\/p>\n

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