The long awaited, oft rumored Twitter for BlackBerry app has been released in beta form for a while now. Granted, not everyone was able to get their hands on a copy due to the invitation only nature in which the app was released. But that also hasn't stopped others from taking their own avenues in getting the same version released to those with invite codes. In fact, it's been in enough hands now to have generated quite the amount of feedback I assume considering RIM has placed the feedback URL right within the application itself.
So with that said, how come there have not been any updates released so far? Surely Research In Motion is working on the "beta" app. And if so, wouldn't they want the latest bug fixes and implementations tested? Many of you may not have noticed when installing Twitter for BlackBerry but the EULA (End User License Agreement) clearly stated the terms and conditions of the Pilot program end on March 31st, 2010 (shown above). So it should be fairly safe to assume we'll see a full on roll out shortly before or shortly after that and let’s hope by then they'll have pushed out some updates to the already existing users to check out and test.
I mention this because as cool as the application is and as much potential I see in it being a "super app" it's just simply not there yet, from my experience. It's slow, laggy at times and often interferes with other functions of the BlackBerry experience with its device lock ups and stalling. It's not so much that it's unbearable to use but it does happen at times. As I'm sure I mentioned before, possibly on the CrackBerry podcast, it's nice to see Research In Motion including folks in betas but it's the results of that inclusion that actually counts to the end users. I don't want to have to feel like I have been Googled in the fact everything is stuck in perpetual beta. Drop some comments folks if you feel the same way here, I need to know I'm not alone in my logic.
blackstorm1911 Mar 8, 2010 at 8:30 am
Were are the updated when is the official release. Where is anything
rj5570 Mar 8, 2010 at 8:32 am
because of this RIM Twitter app, I have actually started twitting and following people. I have had a twitter account for over a year and never used it cause I didnt like any apps for it, but this app rocks.
damenace Mar 8, 2010 at 8:33 am
How can i get an invite code??
BBThemes Mar 8, 2010 at 8:38 am
so the end of march was their internal date for full release, so maybe it`ll just get given to us, and no more beta updates? or maybe they are doing a re-design on the UI, just like they showed for the fb app in their webinar on UI design, as both twitter and fb apps currently fail on their webinar reviews
Badfish54 Mar 8, 2010 at 8:39 am
I have been on twitter for about a year now but not a bit user until I got my first blackberry in November. I tried out different apps to use twitter but I have always found just having the SMS alerts were better. I can't wait for all this app will be bringing and maybe it will get me to turn off my SMS alerts and just follow the app. BRING IT ON
ex3 Mar 8, 2010 at 8:41 am
I haven't had too many problems with the app. Looks great on my Storm2, and yes, while it's shut down a couple of times, i didn't mind at all.
ReneJean Mar 8, 2010 at 8:44 am
The app is very fast iClick and without one slower moment I enter or go back like in in the native BB mailapp! What have you done? Since OS5.0/509 for 9000 it's not even blinking!
Wolfroid Mar 8, 2010 at 8:45 am
I agree with ri5570,I also started to use RIMs twitter and think its a super app,but can`t realy talk about its performance for demanding users because am so new on twitter!!!
I hope as u,that RIM will solve all the issues on time....positive thinking!!!
;))))
nemo Mar 8, 2010 at 8:46 am
Personally, I think the whole Twitter app being developed by RIM is stupid. They are a dime a dozen.
They should spend some time updating the POS that is the Facebook app. THAT is where they should be spending resources developing apps.
There's ONE Facebook app (Developed by RIM), and a bunch of twitter apps already -- and they want to add to the twitter pool and let the crappy facebook app stay stagnant?
Stupid.
gerson250991 Mar 8, 2010 at 9:34 am
The RIM facebook app is a complete waste of space... It's so bad and I think the last update was in october... When you launch it the phone lags and the app itself is really slow... It has like 2 stars or star and a half on the App World and they're focusing on making yet another twitter app when Ubertwitter is clearly the winner among the Twitter apps...
bigdaddymatai Mar 8, 2010 at 10:01 am
I believe you hit the nail on the head on this one!!! Ubertwitter is by far the superior in Twitter apps! I too have been experiencing all these "problems" as everyone else has been mentioning!! RIM should have used their resources on cleaning up their Facebook app!!!
gagz135 Mar 8, 2010 at 11:29 am
there are tons of facebook apps...socialscope, social beat (just to name a few)
donniejett Mar 8, 2010 at 8:47 am
I love the look of the app, just would love to see more features added and would like to see everyone who wants the app to be able to use it. I understand beta, but I'd like to see it moving faster than this!
nfldberryuser Mar 8, 2010 at 9:06 am
It's what's been plaguing me since I started using the Beta. I agree it's a great start to what could become one of RIM's most successful applications, but there's seemingly no ongoing development. While I really love the notification integration & the quasi-push technology (still not sure why you need to set a refresh time with push though), it definitely lags behind Ubertwitter in functionality. I had hoped this would be addressed in subsequent Betas, but now I'm not so sure.
jayuzi Mar 8, 2010 at 9:15 am
The app is supposed to push direct messages and @replies to you in real time, while the refresh rate is just for timeline updates. the refresh is one of the major things I hope they address. I've had the app set for 5 min intervals, and would often go hours without any notification. Also had a nasty run-in with the built in twitpic (posted a different and nsfw pic to my feed when I uploaded a screenshot), but I'm still not sure if that was an app issue or on twitpic's side.
MJay609 Mar 8, 2010 at 9:32 am
Uber Twitter is the best, Hands down !!!!!!!
gafly Mar 8, 2010 at 11:07 pm
UberTwitter is FUGLY ...hands down!
tarotmusic Mar 8, 2010 at 9:55 am
I've been using the Beta version on Storm2. It isn't bad at all...the icon looks amazingly close to Tether's icon, and sometimes click on the wrong one.
I'm not much of a tweeter though, but use UberTwitter before getting the Beta.
I sent an email and requested a code to be in the beta and 3-4 days later, was sent a code, so it wasn't hard to get in on it.
Mistik Mar 8, 2010 at 9:57 am
I am running one of the leaked versions. Pretty happy with it esp the push of @replies and DM's. I surely hope they release an updated official one asap
Mistik Mar 8, 2010 at 9:57 am
I am running one of the leaked versions. Pretty happy with it esp the push of @replies and DM's. I surely hope they release an updated official one asap
Mistik Mar 8, 2010 at 9:58 am
I am running one of the leaked versions. Pretty happy with it esp the push of @replies and DM's. I surely hope they release an updated official one asap
Mistik Mar 8, 2010 at 9:58 am
I am running one of the leaked versions. Pretty happy with it esp the push of @replies and DM's. I surely hope they release an updated official one asap
jakeh0 Mar 8, 2010 at 10:00 am
maybe its being developed by the same people who update the facebook app so often
lauraaa83 Mar 8, 2010 at 10:00 am
Yea, its getting just too long... Hope they'll release the public version soon... Like reeeal soon :(
agband Mar 8, 2010 at 10:05 am
My sources say that Mar 18 is the release date. Seems like it might be a bit premature if there are so many bugs at this time.
chilywilly Mar 8, 2010 at 10:26 am
im not really sure what RIM does all day, other than
patent random crap that no one cares about. i mean don't
get me wrong, i love blackberry, but RIM runs such a half as**d
program over there.
they have a junk facebook app that doesn't even compare to android or iphone.
they invest in a twitter app that's just average.
and yet, still no improved browser.
cmon man.
Leafan Mar 8, 2010 at 10:34 am
I really liked the look and feel of RIM's Twitter app... Really tried to stick it out ...... But UberTwitter won yet again.... I can't see using a twitter app that doesn't have my @ list.... I hate trying to remember how someone spells their twitter name..... I reaLly hope RIM puts all the options UberTwitter has now... Cause I want to see the. Become the go to twitter app....
And hope that whoever makes UberTwitter decides to create a 3rd party Facebook app
StormJH1 Mar 8, 2010 at 11:30 am
Can't agree with that last point anymore. This BB Twitter app may be good. It may even be better than UberTwitter and worth using. But we had plenty of free 3rd party Twitter options, which begs the question why there aren't any (at least that I know of) for Facebook, and THAT's what we really need.
Someone mentioned "SocialScope" (don't know what that is), and there's IM things like Beejive that may tie into the FB IM component. But I don't want FB for an IM or an email account, I want to use it like FACEBOOK, which means checking status updates, photos, etc. So far, the mobile browser (either the m.facebook or x.facebook version) does those things much better than the app. The ONLY thing I find the FB app useful for is the "SuperApp" feature of being able to BB button on a picture and post it directly to FB after I take it. That's it. Everything else is a disaster.
CBNY629 Mar 8, 2010 at 10:41 am
I was able to get a copy of the Twitter app from RIM and I must say I'm impressed with the app as a whole. Like the FB for BB app, it integrates into your messaging system to see new tweets and I see myself tweeting a lot more with this user friendly app. Looks like something Twitter would come up with themselves. I was a long time user of Ubertwitter which is still the #1 Third Party twitter app available, however UT had it's issues with memory leaks when you left it constantly running, which has gotten worse with their recent updates.
With that being said, Twitter for BB has it's own problems. It has a severe memory leak itself. It will then freeze up my BB when it does this, which is usually an hour to two hours after a reboot. I know using a beta copy this is to be expected and I've handed in my feedback to RIM. I just hope it's addressed before the official release. I haven't seen a single update available for download during this beta period which leaves me to believe A: they are ware of the snags and are working on the problems or B: They think it's fine just the way it is...scary thought for the latter.
McKenzieUK Mar 8, 2010 at 11:21 am
Can honestly say I have experienced no problems with this app and if this is a beta then I cant wait for the released version.
StormJH1 Mar 8, 2010 at 11:26 am
(1) I've read a decent amount about this, but do we know that this is free? Assuming it is since the Facebook RIM app is free. Also, given that UberTwitter is free (which I just signed up for), it would have to be pretty special to get people to pay anything for a RIM version.
(2) When people say "push" updates, do they mean you get a little message icon with a number next to it, like you can for emails, texts, or even the FB app? I could see that being appealing, but I'd also want to turn a lot of the alerts off.
Also, I'm not sure Twitter (or even Facebook) needs to be updated on a real-time, always on basis. I suppose there are components to both Facebook and Twitter that function like an IM or email account, and push alerts would be fine for that. But it seems like if you're "following" 30 people, you could be looking at dozens or hundreds of Tweets per day. Which means that I don't really want to know every time I get a new one (or my life would stop)...I just want the ability to open it up and look at it updated, and have it not draining my battery/memory when it's closed.
ReneJean Mar 8, 2010 at 11:31 am
A couple of comments before this one/ NEMOID writes something about another TwitterApp added to the Pool.
Two lines to read it and then come back HERE
The idea is not to give us toys but a client(application) means there's money involved.
If Twitter grows to be the worlds nr1 network worldwide you need to work on it now.
RIM follows a marketing strategy that includes having to adapt to other global players (except donating presents to Santa
VZW_BB_Fan Mar 8, 2010 at 1:08 pm
I used to use TweetGenius and overall was pretty happy with it. But I am really enjoying the RIM app. I just wish that it would be instant notifications instead of checking at pre-determined intervals. Hopefully that will be in the first update. (Edit push updates of my timeline, dm and mentions are push. I know some people would be constantly notified if this happened, but I only use twitter for people I actually know, so I would like the option to be notified when they post a new tweet.)
ReneJean Mar 9, 2010 at 7:19 am
In Options you can select that! soca this problem doessn't really exist.
nofrillz#CB Mar 8, 2010 at 2:21 pm
and they sent me an invite code 2 days later. i'm guessing the fact that i work for t-mobile helped though.
mike340t Mar 8, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Can you link Twitter ID's to contacts like you can with the Facebook app? If so, than that is sweet...
Andy Bernard Mar 8, 2010 at 4:58 pm
So after reading this post I downloaded a leaked version and have been using it throughout the day.
My first question: Is there a way to shorten URLs? I can't find any option to do that in new tweets. Perhaps I'm just looking right past this, or maybe it is just a missing feature in the leaked version I have. But if the final version really lacks this functionality, that'd be a major oversight/flaw.
Other thoughts: As mentioned by others, typing "@" into a new tweet needs to initiate a mini drop-down of contacts, as Ubertwitter does. I can't be bothered to remember everyone's exact username.
I currently use both Tweetgenius and Ubertwitter. Tweetgenius is on throughout the day; given its slick, pretty interface, it is the most pleasant on which to periodically read new tweets. For my own tweeting and other activities for which I need more funcionality -- namely lists, which I use a lot, and the auto "@" drop-down -- I use Ubertwitter, which despite being unbelievably ugly, is packed to the gills with useful features.
Comparing this RIM app to the two aforementioned ones, it is much nicer than Ubertwitter, but not quite as pretty as TG. It has some more features that TG, but still not as many as Ubertwitter (where are lists in the official?). Thus, if the RIM app were officially released as my leaked version currently stands, I can't really see myself altering my current usage of TG and UT.
mikeydooodie Mar 8, 2010 at 7:10 pm
ubertwitter ftw ... rims facebook app is terrible i didnt even bother with the twitter app
we need a 3rd party to make a new facebook app and we'd be all set
Coraya Mar 8, 2010 at 10:52 pm
but i agree, that as soon as updates were made they should have been released, so they could be rexamined by the public once more to get some good amount of info like the first time
Vurhan Mar 9, 2010 at 1:19 am
Haven't had a single problem with this app on my Tour, I love it!
The only mistake is not letting us RT locked accounts, and please RIM we need RT replies as well as @ popups ala UT.
I guess a built in photo viewer instead of the popup native browser would look well too.
robotaholic Mar 9, 2010 at 5:54 pm
The facebook app is fine and the Twitter app is fine- the problem probably is that you're using a 8330 -the model that's close to 2 yrs old - depending on what carrier- get a new bb and appworld, facebook, & twitter work well - oh and stfu
syquest1 Mar 10, 2010 at 12:16 am
I cant wait to get rid of Ubertwitter
youngspider Mar 10, 2010 at 12:19 am
I like the look of this app, but as mentioned allready, it should have a drop down menu with everybody's twitter name when typing @. Another thing I've noticed is that I don't get notified when somebody mentions me. If this ever gets handled, it would be the ultimate twitter client. One more thing is setting the refresh time, I get mentioned a lot and waiting for it to appear is irritating. This has potential though, I just don't see why it took so long for RIM to make this app.
J-Nificent Mar 12, 2010 at 1:10 am
How about doing something to improve that piece of shit Facebook app? It's a damn joke!
RIM, YOU'VE FAILED AGAIN.
ianst28 Mar 16, 2010 at 4:05 pm
i really like the RIM version of the app
there are some issues with it like it never ever seems to update (unless i forget to put my BB into sleep mode at night then it's guaranteed to update and play the tone assigned)
and it rarely shows pics
i think if rim move it a bit closer to ubertwitter then it's deff gonna be a "super app"
now all they need to do is sort the slow assed browser and build a better fb app
hongkongphooey#cb Mar 18, 2010 at 6:04 pm
I haven't been able to read ALL of the comments, but I will say that this app is good looking, but doesn't have near the flexibility of other Twitter clients, locks up during search, and lags like you're on dial-up.
The only reason I'm still using it is because I felt "cool" being the only person in my group of friends with the app. Sad, isn't it?
BossyBBri Mar 19, 2010 at 10:47 pm
I've been thinking the same thing... it would be nice to see an update soon!