In the midst of our Ultimate Twitter Client Roundup, a late entry showed up and we just had to let it in. Twitter for BlackBerry has been buzzing for a few weeks now, and here is the first official look at the client. I've played around with it for a bit, and I have to say its a good start, but still has a way to go. It doesn't load terribly fast, and the amount of tweets you can see on each timeline is very slim. It features the usual timelines, mentions and direct message, as well as the ability to view your profile and search Twitter. There are a few options to set the refresh rate, and in true RIM fashion you can set the app to show tweets in your you inbox, as well as send a Twitter update from the Messages menu. Other features include:
- View friends timeline, mentions and direct messages
- Message list integration
- Ability to use BlackBerry Shortcuts
- Ribbon notifications
- Search Twitter
- Compose Tweets from menu
- Post links from Browser
Check out the video above for a quick walkthrough of all Twitter for BlackBerry has to offer (we'll have a more in-depth review after we play around a bit more). And you can sign up for updates from RIM at blackberry.com/twitter. Also, be sure to leave a comment on our Twitter for BlackBerry Officially Announced in Invite-Only Beta; Contest: We've Got Invite Codes We're Giving Away! post to have a chance at being one of the first to check out Twitter for BlackBerry!
Reader comments
Ultimate Twitter Client Roundup Bonus Round: Video First Look at Official Twitter for BlackBerry Smartphones App
Happy Birthday =)
fajds;lfkjasd
been holding out on twitter, maybe thisll make me make the jump
It looks good, just needs a good polish.
I need this need!
An invite could would be amazing.
Wow! This is what I have been waiting for. Good luck to everyone!
Been waiting for this for a long time. Please hook a brother up.
I've been waiting a long time for its twitter client!!
I would love to get an invite for Blackberry Twitter.
That would be a great present to give to me for your birthday.
Count me in!!
ill be good.. pretty please can i have a copy haha..
please invite @jeffriffle
Thanks !
The question is Can you see peoples avatar big, when u click on it, Sorta like UT??
@WassupFRED
Finally gave up on my iphone and am LOVING my BB... BUT I can't find a decent Twitter app! Hook a new crackberry addict up!!
I have the new Twitter client for blackberry and all I'm saying is ill be sticking to Ubertwitter heavy
I downloaded this first thing this morning
My first impressions are pretty good to be fair,and mine is running ALOT quicker than what is being shown on the video uploaded by Adam,maybe thats because im in the UK,im not too sure but its as quick as ubertwitter refreshing on my Bold 9000 device anyway
Well worth checking out if you havent done so yet,and remember with it only being a beta so far,it will get alot better once RIM have sorted out its little problems
www.twitter.com/Varg_Jaeger
For me it's the best twitter client I've ever used. I've installed a few days ago and this program does what is supposed to do. I've been hearing a lot about sluggishness and slowness, but sincerely I haven't notice any of that. Look and feel is twitter, good speed of refresh, notifications. Everything I have been waiting for on an original Blackberry Twitter client. No complaints here.
I just installed the leaked Blackberry Twitter Client and it installed completely and is working. So far so good. A little slow but not bad. For those of you running OS 5, you can download the link at http://tinyurl.com/yjcysj9
Leaked OTA links don't fully install the app. Gotta do the desktop download/install (http://blackberryrocks.com/2010/02/11/official-blackberry-twitter-client...). All in all, I know its not "released" yet, but not impressed. No RT's, no push @replies, no shortcut keys. Options are minimal, UI could be cleaner and more customizable etc. Play around. See what u think.
um...there are ReTweets. And the UI is very nice... have you SEEN UberTwitter? FUGLY.
They NEED to add push notifications though!
This seems like an awesome app
I wanna try it out!!!
tweet this! @patches219
You can see people's chain of discussion - all of their 'in reply to' with OTHER PEOPLE. That didn't use to be the case... interesting. Not sure if I like that. Ah well... if you say it on Twitter, it's not private anyway. lol
Awesone !!! i love twitter but i need the code :(
in my earlier post....download it to your computer and install it using Apploader or BBSAK
can you NOT retweet with this? I don't see it anywhere.
but i believe if you click on icon of the tweet then center the cursor on the body of the message and click on it then select "send to" it will give you the options to retweet/send with multiple options.....pin..facebook..twitter...etc
I think you're blind...haha. No but really... if I select a tweet, then hit the bb key, then scroll down there will be options to Favorite, Reply, Reply All, Retweet, Compose Message, and Send to. Note, however, that if the tweets are protected you do not have the option to retweet and you'll have to do it via the "send to twitter method" that was mentioned in the above post.
I'm blind. Yeah. lol Thanks. I knew it seemed a bit odd to leave 'retweets' out.
Nevermind, I see what it is... you can't retweet someone if they have that little padlock next to their name. Gotcha That's why it wasn't giving me the option.
@bucsfanbryan
Tweeting since 9/27/07 (@dannymartinez) I am super excited to have a dedicated twitter app for BB. It's been a long time coming! It would be an honor to be a part of the beta test group!
That is all!!
They've GOT to add push notifications. Other than that I'm liking it. Definitely a lot nicer looking than the FUGLY UberTwitter.
I'm a uber user. would love to see how the BB app compares
Happy to say I got into the beta and have had a chance to try the app out. Not bad, but it really really reeeeeaaaaallllyyyy needs list support.
There's a missing module in the .jad file. Use the .zip files and do it the long way. Voila!
Hopefully I'll be getting one of the passwords!
I would absoluley love to get an invite code. This is awesome!!
I've been using the same version of SocialScope for several months now with no updates, no changes & no problems/bugs and its still in private beta. I'm ready to try a new app that I can watch grow and change (hopefully) into an incredible native twitter app! Bring it on!
I have been waiting so long for this! Don't like any of the Twitter clients out there. So hoping this one finally wraps all the features into one neat package!
http://www.theiexplorers.com/Twitter/TwitterDesktop.zip
worked for me
Worked for me too!!! Thanks for the link!!! =)
are either of you on 5.0 OS? the ota worked for me, and i see in the application list, but that is it...unable to use. any suggestions? is the desktop version different?
the .jad ota download is corrupt and will not work....you have to go into applications and delete it under "add ons" only way I could get it to work was desktop install
Yep..this works after a reboot!
@cynomynstick. I would love to be able to search my friends and actually have an app find them. Xo
I tweet to share media, my thoughts, and to see news in real time. please hit me up with this beta: @derrtysky
Pretty please!
I'm a good tester and I always give stuff back to CB when I have things to share like SocialScope invites/etc!
Pick me Pick me!
I would like to try it out and form my own opinion so hopefully I get chosen for an invite.
Hey it's cool. Although there r so many twitter client out there I wonder which one is the best? Maybe we needed our own for BB users.
great news for RIM users, lets try it to see if really worth it to change our twitter client.
@prettyfacejessy hope its better than Uber! =]
@prettyfacejessy hope its better than Uber! =]
@prettyfacejessy hope its better than Uber! =]
@prettyfacejess hope its better than Uber! =]
Did anyone even watch the video? This app looks terrible. It took forever to load, doesn't support lists, and doesn't give alerts. Game over.
this is sweet would love to beta test it!
but I downloaded the .jad file to my computer, can anyone point me in the right direction to install that file on my phone? PM me if you can!!
thanks!
neato!
Ooh I can't wait to try @arm_candy is my name and twitting is my game
anyone d/l it but can't find the icon?
Do you get the Java.Lang error message?
can't wait to try it
I can't wait to try it!
java.lang error.
Yes, I'm serious. It appears to work only on OS 5.0 so far. It leaked about a half hour ago...
This sounds like a great app. I would like to have it for my Blackberry. Maybe I will be lucky and win.
look 2 post above you. SERIOUSLY?
sorry
Please!!
http://www.theiexplorers.com/Twitter/twitter.jad
Says it installed successfully but all I get is java errors. Does appear in the Applications list in options.... I just can't make it work!
And I've checked with others running the same model and OS - works for them. ??
just downloaded says download failed. '907 invalid COD unable to import zip file' im on my phone...ohh well! =]
I wonder what will happen to the likes of Ubertwitter, socialscope, twitberry etc.
http://www.theiexplorers.com/Twitter/twitter.jad
so it stays...
I'm impatiant to win!!!!! Let's go @presean
Can't wait for the app, Let's go RIM!!!
I'm all about Twitter! I have my own plus I run the Twitter accounts for 4 Beatles related websites!
I'd love to Beta test the Official RIM Twitter Client!!!!
Pick Me, Pick Me..... PLEEZE!!!!!
Id like one for my tour please.
that they said put your Twitter name in the OTHER blog for a chance to win a code? NOT this one...
Like everyone else has said, the load times and cluttered splash page UI need to be improved, but I like the way it's headed. And push notifications will be awesome. Send me an invite, pleeeease! (@edtonn)
Well.. hoping this isnt a rerun of SS with the 'invite only' system...
twitter name is F18Sim
When you consider all the development resources that RIM has at its disposal and the length of time that has already gone into this app, you'd have to say that it is a very poor effort. If I could single out just one thing, why is push delivery only used for DM? I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of Twitter users don't really use DM at all. Surely it is push delivery of tweets and replies that people wanted for that near real-time "BlackBerry experience" with all the attendant benefits this brings to battery life and data charges. The Twitter Streaming API is now in production and I imagine RIM's data centre has more than enough spare CPU resources and network bandwidth to accommodate it. So there really is no excuse why this app shouldn't be using push for everything (apart from handling tweets from users who have checked the "Protect my tweets" option in their profile).
Given that it's RIM's own OS platform I'm surprised to see these issues, especially since the app's been in development for a long while. I wonder what the sticking points were? And, if those points were OS/platform/API-related I hope the Twitter-app-development team let the other teams know, so that there'd be improvements in OS 5.1+.
I got my very own copy of it last night and have been using it all day. I also have two extra activation codes that I'm giving away on Examiner.com. http://afx.cc/cuh
WANT!
@marker580
Count me in for a tester...
Asked those nice chaps at RIM to send me a code, they asked for my PIN and hey presto i got one!
Downloaded and installed and i have to say that i have had no issues whatsoever with the speed. Its fast for me!
Who/How did you ask?
@objio
I'd love the opportunity to beta test this program. It looks like it has a ton of potential!
@zookoh gotta have a code so I can update all of my tweeps out there!
ubertwitter is much better and this will run terribly slow just like facebook
Yay nice start, can't wait to take a look!
My twitter ID is UCBearcats
Thanks!
The twitter app should be fast also it would be nice if it would let you you know when you had Direct messages and @ replies without giving you everyone elses tweets at the same time @gslim
Thanks guys for the great contest!
My favorite feature is the ability to create tabs and the list features.
Good luck to all and thanks Crackberry for this contest!
Twitter name: JNSJr
@ovimp3
All RIGHT! Lets hope this IS the ultimate twitter client!
According to the inside blackberry blog http://blogs.blackberry.com/2010/02/inside-twitter-for-blackberry-applic... there is push notification for direct messages only.
@ale_liam
Looks like it'll be worth a try.
Twitter Username: rmcmann
looks cool, would love to try it
Deffinatly would love to have a BB twitter instead of a afm one. looks good. *crosses fingers* hope i get one.
i wouldnt mind testing this
is
lame
Anyway.. i hope they implement it on the near future
Hopefully they will listen to the users and update their client to satisfy the majority. I do think they should cache like many of the other clients do to load up speed times. I'm guessing every time you load up the application it's going to have to grab the information again, which will probably use battery. But, I'm looking forward to giving it a try.
I would love an invite!
I would like to be invited to beta :) Twitter: mwohrlin
What does it use for multimedia hosting?
The app looks great, I am wondering why there is no push technology with the app but again, it is a RIM app so I will use it. Would love a invite code. I know it will be slow this is just a beta but it will get better.
What is the icon next to gmail icon ? Like a chat app but i never saw it, can somebody tell me please ?
Its the Google Voice app
from the BB Blogs
"Head to www.blackberry.com/twitter and sign up to receive notification when Twitter for BlackBerry smartphones is available to all via open public beta later this year."
Later this year? Really? I knew it wouldn't be out of private beta in a week or anything but the closest date we get is "later this year"...so knowing RIM and how they push out apps; maybe by December.
@m1ndovermatter
If it is still available I would like a chance to test it out!
jalil10032@
This will be my twitter client.
Now that its out, I'm not too impressed... The main thing I look for in a Twitter app is speed, mention notifications, and clean interface.
But, to be fair, I only seen the video and might have a change of mind once the final version is released.
I would still like to get my hands on this and test it out.
@MikeBoodoo
Invite here!
I want an invite code. @bplifefitness
please..one code!!!!
cool.. i want to get it !
I would love to try out the twitter for BB. I use Ubertwitter now and am excited that there will be an actual twitter app. Pick Me
I am confused, every previous post that I have read about the RIM BB Twitter client has said that one of its features would be support for Push. However, your video indicates that there is a setting for the frequency with which the client will pull tweets. To my mind, the whole basis for the attractiveness of the BB native clients is the Push functionality built-in. All the IM clients have it, Facebook has it. I was truly expecting the Twitter client to have it and I am astonished that it does not. Really, the lack of Push makes the brain itch.
Absent Push notifications what really separates this from the many alternatives?
I completely forgot about this until I read your post. Now you have me wondering as well. I was expecting Push to be supported here. Well, it is the early build so it might still be added.
Wow you're right; I forgot about push as well.
RIM's differentiator is supposedly the Push architecture. Gotta question it when RIM itself doesn't leverage this capability. After all, aren't these the very type of apps which should be showcasing push?
This would go perfect with my new 9630 that doesn't have 5.0 os yet thanks to verizon lol
I have been waiting for this one!
Finally a Blackberry native Twitter app. Now if only AT&T doesn't bundle it with their phones so I cannot download the latest upgrades, like they did with Facebook and MySpace.
Nicely done! Does it support Lists or retweets ("official" and old-school)?
Looks good.
hey..it shows my tweet to u adam :) on the vid..
Way way way too much twitter on this site
you should shoot me a code because i'm new to this site....then i'll tell everyone how awesome CrackBerry is!!
but I have no complaints for UberTwitter so it will have to take something real special to get me to switch. Especially to a new App that is bound to have issues.
Sweet (@jezzman18)
Looking forward to moving to the official BB/Twitter App!
Looks good. I want, I want, I want.
@Cowifornia
ravz116
@beeziefied
This has got to be the single most exciting thing I could ever win
Who have pin BB. ?
@i_stacey
OUTSTANDING! I've been waiting for this since I first heard about it. I sure hope I'm blessed enough to get an invite.
@coachc_51
Meh......Granted it is Beta, but that load time was painfully slow. I could go over to my Kuerig and brew up 3 cups of coffee in that time.
Layout is nice, but on anything other than the Storm series, the real estate is quite small.
Uber not likely to be knocked off for me. I'll try it, but may not stick.
i want one of this pleaseeeeeeee¡¡¡¡
@gustiniano
thanks !
For some reason I can't watch the video from my Storm 2.
going for the win, too!
@DTech_Update
Would love a beta code. The UI is amazing, really different from RIM's usually simple designs
by the way you where talking about it, it doesnt seem at all up to the standards of other twitter clients however i think the UI is lovely so i will probably download it just for that reason when it is officially released for everyone :)
@spenchey
@AP_2Ls...
Looks like a nice program!
Thanks!!
Being an Alpha/early Beta I had no expectations but I am happy they do it;RIM is doing an app for Blackberry and that's all that matters. I do miss the Lists and I hope they implement it soon. But it seems really rich.I'll be waiting:)
@aaronmatthies i would love to check this out looks like tweeteev has waited to long and wont make the cut
Oh and Adam, this time you spoke well and clearly. Good! :D
Thanks :) I'm getting the hang of it now I think
No notifications for @ replies ? I think I'll stick with UberTwitter for now.
This twitter client has been getting iffy reviews all around. BGR didn't have many nice things to say about it either.
BGR has their own twitter client so it's hard to remain unbiased when RIM is offering a free twitter client and BGR is offering their own paid version.
If they get the bugs worked out. would be nice to have address book intergration too.
I cant wait to have a CrackBerry.
the no cache for icons is pretty bad in my opinion. looks pretty good other than that though.
the load times on some of that stuff was incredibly slow. I think the layout is fantastic though! Hopefully they get that running a bit faster by the time the beta is over with.
Thirds!!!
Umm it doesn't let me watch the video from my storm. It just keeps reloading the page when I click to watch the video.
follow me on Twitter @mybbgroupdotcom A social site for BB users that use their BBM 5.0 Group feature. Create and Join Groups with ease.
I can't wait to add my twitter ID (brlay) to this. Nice to see client from twitter
hey, this the way to go. i cant wait to add my twitter name (apple3r) to this bb application. Waitinggggggggg.
WOOO-HOOO!! lol
I've been waiting forever for a twitter client released by bberry!!
<3 tonks