I’ve spent the weekend testing a pre-release Beta version of Blackberry’s official Twitter application which is due to launch publically in the next month or so.
First impressions are excellent, this is a well integrated application which doesn’t show delays in loading, and has some very neat pop up integration within your messages list.
I’ve taken far too many screen shots to make this easy to explain, however hopefully they will give you some clear idea of what the application can, and importantly cannot do.
For me, this application has been a long time coming. I started – like most Blackberry users – using Twitterberry. However it’s a poor excuse for an application in this day and age.
I then moved to Yatca, which, for mine, is still the best and most integrated application you will find for Blackberry – however for most users it’s not an ‘Application’ as they know it, because it has very little UI – instead it has complete message list integration and to get the most from it you need to setup some filters and saved searches.
In terms of standard ‘looking’ applications I think TweetGenius from the Team at Boy Genius Report was the best UI, and worked really well – it also cost $ to buy.
I was fortunate enough to become part of the SocialScope Alpha testing program, and have been extremely satisfied with SocialScope all along. Mainly because it gave me basic notifications, was very fast to load and use – PLUS it has good facebook inclusions (and I cannot use the Facebook App due to the IT Policy on my Blackberry).
So, here I am today with the official Blackberry Twitter application which has been out in the wild for a little while now, and for that reason has become much anticipated.
Let me make this simple.
What I like about it:
What I dislike:
What it needs to be a ‘Killer App’:
So, do I recommend you download this app? For sure, it’s going to blow Ubertwitter, Twitterberry and frankly the current version of TweetGenius right out of the water. However, they can all catch up!
UPDATE: Register your interest in the app at http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/features/social/twitter.jsp – I suspect it will be available by Mid March.
Below are a large number of screenshots from my current trial of the Official Blackberry Twitter App – let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Your Twitter Icon when shown on your home screen
Main Tweet list showing your ‘home’ page – recent tweets from people you follow
Loading your @mentions
Showing your @mentions
Your Profile Page
Bottom half of your profile page
Direct Messages shown within the Twitter App
Search Twitter Users
Saved Searches and keyword search
Popular Topics – Current (loading)
Popular Topics – Current
Popular Topics – Recent – Tag Cloud
Menu within Blackberry Twitter App
Options Screen (top half)
Options Screen (bottom half)
Popup within App – Save Changes
Direct Messags shown within your Messages List
Notification of ‘new tweets’ – within your messages list
Mail Notification icon shown, having received email alert regarding a new direct messages.
Email notification of Direct Message – This is where the integration should show the message itself linked to the App
A Direct Message shown within the Message List
A Direct Message shown in a pop-up over your message list – instant reply facility available (v cool)
Reply, and SEND
Sent message shows in your message list also.
Menu options when Sending a Direct Message via Pop Up Windows
Viewing a direct message from your message window.
Delete Option for Direct Message
Compose menu – as you know it, except see the bottom
New TWITTER option added.
When choosing TWITTER, you then choose DIRECT or TWEET
Direct Tweet Chosen
Choosing Tweet:
Gives you a simple way to jump in and update your ‘status’
Uploading a Photo, image is re-sized and readied to upload
Add Status to go along with it.
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