Review of RIM's Twitter for BlackBerry Application
*Please note: This review was conducted prior to yesterday's "official" release of version 1.0.0.45. The judges have kept that in mind when providing feedback and you should too in terms of judging the reviewer.*
If you're on twitter you must have definitely needed to access it from the BlackBerry at some point, and most probably have been using some app for the same. The official Twitter for BlackBerry app got a lot of attention when it was announced and when they opened up the beta. Now that its finally out in the open , we can find out if it does live up to the expectations of a twitter addict.
Twitter for BlackBerry is the official RIM Twitter app (meaning its developed by RIM) It allows you to do almost everything that you could do through their mobile website or a desktop application.
The app is freely available from the BlackBerry App World or you could download it from here or the BlackBerry website at www.BlackBerry.com/twitter if you don't have a twitter account you can sign up for one right inside the application. After you sign-in you can see your twitter timeline, and are also presented with a opportunity to follow @BlackBerryHelp a neat twitter account that RIM operates and would help you with questions regarding anything BlackBerry.
The entire interface is neatly designed with a navigation bar on the top that lets you access all functionalities that twitter offers. On the main screen you can notice your twitter timeline and a box where you can update or "tweet" your latest status. And if you can also update a photo along with your tweet using the inbuilt twitpic (requires sign-up) service.
Twitter for BlackBerry is a very powerful application it gives strong contention to the many desktop applications in terms of functionality. You can see your @mentions, lists, direct messages and offers advanced search capabilities (for user search as well as searching for tweets)
The search functionality of the Twitter for Blackberry application is quite powerful and can be used to track down specific information and it even features a trend screen where you can look at the latest twitter trends. You can check out the current top 10 trends as well as a recent trends screen where the trends are displayed in a neat cloud view. Clicking on any word in both the screens instantly invokes a menu that allows you to search or tweet about that specific trending topic.
Another amazing aspect of the application is the integration into the BlackBerry context menu. If there is a #topic or @username mentioned in any conversation, email or document which is open on the BlackBerry clicking on it immediately invokes twitter specific actions (to search, view user profile etc.) This is a very useful feature and I have not seen it on any other twitter app so far.
Conclusion
As a power user I have tried many Twitter apps on the BlackBerry like Seesmic and UberTwitter, there are aspects that I like and dislike about the client. One of the downsides might be that Twitter for BlackBerry doesn't support some advanced 3rd party twitter features like geo-tagging and other media services (for uploading videos) And it doesn't offer a plethora of options to customize. The in-line image previews and autocomplete for @usernames is a welcome feature. And so is the navigation bar based interface and keyboard shortcuts allow you to quickly move around through the application. Since this is an official RIM application I do expect it to be updated frequently and it is quite polished and manages to please both the average and power user. This is definitely my favorite twitter app and I would highly recommend it.
Pros
- Intuitive Interface Vast functionality
- Device integration
Cons
- Does not support geo-tagging and other 3rd party add-on's.
- Few options to customize application
Download
** This review was written as part of the CrackBerry Idol 2010 competition. Click for details. **
Reader comments
Twitter for BlackBerry Review
The video was really good the first like 30 seconds or so, but once that noise started I had to turn it off =[ Your write-up was pretty good! I just hope that the GSM noise didn't hinder your chances of moving to the next round!! Good job though!!
Hey Britt,
Thanks for your thumbs-up, the video sticks out like a sore thumb though :p. Best of luck to you as well. I'm sure you're making it to the next round.
I only watched about half of the review before I ended up shutting it down. I couldn't take the video noise, and the video quality wasn't good either. I could barely see what was going on. I'm still fairly new to the Blackberry Twitter app. I was hoping this was going to be a very informative review for me. I was disappointed.
I'm sorry for the GSM Noise, please read my explanation in the comments above.
Please someone care to tell me Dieter's full name (on eof the judge's)
The written portion of this review was excellent in my opinion. My problem with the video noise was that I was really interested in seeing someone use "twitter for blackberry" and explain why it should be used vs any other twitter app. I wasn’t able to hear you over the noise to evaluate at all. Even though I wanted to view this video outside of the contest which I wasn’t concerned about, in all fairness I think if the video was unable to be conducted like it should have been based on the written review you should have just been exceptioned to the next round and had a chance to try again. This is not your livelihood Im sure and life happens for most of us outside of crackberry. Good Luck!
Thanks man, glad you liked it!
Hello everyone, thanks for your kind words and criticism its greatly appreciated.
As Kevin mentioned in the first post I did this when travelling, and had no other option. I didn't have a proper camera or access to broadband. It was either this video (or no video at all) which would mean that I would have to drop out of the contest altogether. So please don't judge on the biases of the video.
I'm really sorry for the GSM noise. Thanks for giving me a chance to be a part of this.
Considering your extenuating circumstances and excellent written review, I'd be willing to consider you for the next round. I would hope that your second video review would have the sound problem fixed, but I think your written review shows a lot of potential. I don't use twitter but I found your written review to tell me what I needed to know to consider getting this app.
Thank you so much for your understanding. And if I make it to the next round, ill make sure there is not video noise :p
I wish I had your dedication because I didn't apply because I was travelling. Until we see the quality issues rectified I don't think it would be fair to judge you harshly...other than to say enunciate your words. On camera your accent can garble up words...it could have been the camera you were using but I think it's something worth keeping in mind.
Yes it was a really crappy camera.
I understand your delema, but this does pose a query. If you are going to be in a position to have to review things on the fly, are you going to be prepared to put out professional reviews and videos?
When Kevin heads out on trips, he takes is good mic for recording podcasts, he has a video cameras for taking videos. They leave prepared to handle the situation.
My point being that you knew this contest was going on (you submitted your initial entry), yet you left unprepared for for it. What is going to happen if you make it past this round and have to head out again? Will you be prepared to handle the next video properly, or are we going to have to suffer through the possibility of future reviews with the same quality? Is ignoring a portion of your submission fair to the other contestants?
I agree with xopher as always lol, I'm sure he did receive to do a video review on an app a couple days ago before deadline so even webcams are good too. If you used ur webcam here u would make it brighter environment.
As Xopher said you have to be ready with things if you are travelling and really want to be a CB Idol.
TIP: Twitter worked on WiFi after logged in.
But except all you did cover basic and some good points with the review.
Be a Indian Hero in the next round LOL ... good luck
I was thinking the same thing about the travelling angle and being prepared for the contest. I think some of these contestants are not realizing that the top prize is a job, it's not just a free Blackberry or some BB goodies. This contest is a tryout to join the Crackberry Team. I was expecting professional reviews and showcases of talent, and some of these entries have been outright disappointing. I don't want to read a review on the blog that starts with a lame infomerical or insults the readership or sounds like an amateur YouTube video. These are acceptable entries for a typical Crackberry summer contest, but I'd expect more from a prospective regular contributor to the Crackberry blog.
I am hoping that the later rounds will showcase that professionalism and talent that I have come to expect from the Crackberry Team. I have only seen two or three reviews so far that have that potential. Manav did an excellent written review, but the reason I willing to consider a vote for him is I haven't seen enough Crackberry Blog worthy reviews, imo, that will fill 10 votes. So, I got one to spare for him, so far.
When I found out and from that time till little after the DEADLINE I was on the road, without proper Internet (was using a crappy GPRS access card) or a camera.
I've already considered myself out because of the video, but thanks to crack berry for the oppturnity and everyone here for their dialogue.
I tried, to be fair in the feedback process, I really tried to finish that video, but it so annoying and couldn't hear what you were saying. Excellent writeup, but as Kevin said from the start, we live in a Web 2.0 world now, and you have to be able to do video reviews right. Good luck in the competition, but I get a strong impression your CB Idol journey ends with this entry.
Read the comment I posted below. Thanks for your kind words.
I'm not trying to be rude, but that video review was terrible! The GSM buzzing noise over powered your voice and I couldn't hear what you were saying. The video quality was pretty bad. Honestly, if I wasn't using T4BB already, this video wouldn't have convinced me to try out the app.
Please read my explaination regarding the GSM Noise below.
video quality is poor as hell please don't bring this guy in the next round im sorry but i didnt understand what he was saying...
Hey there, please read my explanation below.
this video is unwatchable too much gsm noise very annoying bye!
this video is unwatchable too much gsm noise very annoying bye!
Terribly sorry for that.
What changed from 1.0.0.41 to 1.0.0.45?
Does it still lock up making the phone completely useless until you pull the battery & restart the phone?
BlackBerry App World shows no change log that I can see.
I think the only thing they added was the "Go to user" function. Mine doesn't lock up or anything. It's wierd how some apps work on some phones but not on others. Like Opera Mini 5, doesn't work on my 8520 but on other 8520's it does.
I don't have any attention to vote for someone who can't do a video properly don't u watch it before u submit. The written review was ok but nowhere on pare with anyone else. In the end 0.5 stars out of 5 and will almost guarantee elimation. Better luck next time :(
I was very aware of the issue with the noise. But did not have any other choice. Please read my comment below.
Just a tip: next time - if there is going to be one - use a freaking wifi signal!
Furthermore, try to talk slowly and calmly so everyone can understand you. If you talk too fast, it looks like your nervous and that sucks. You can have as many takes on the video as you want. So.. peace, quiet and meditate!
Please read the comment I posted below, thanks for your feedback.
Wow... Seriously, worst review of anything Ive ever seen in my life. And Ive seen some awful reviews of products on youtube but this takes the cake.
Your first video review was 2nd worse ive ever seen as you just rolled out of bed and decided to make a product review hurr durrr hmmm huu.
Now, this is awful, wow just quit before you out due yourself yet again.
OK.
My video had to be dark too and isn't as great as I'd have liked even filming in HD. My app had a dark background which meant I had to keep the lights dim.
Man, the video was terrible! Not only was the GSM/feedback really bad, the video was out of focus! It made the entire video experience excruciating. Anytime you brought the BB close to the camera, you couldn't read anything on the screen. At least the "Ums" were at a minimum.
The write-up was much better. I don't know if it is going to be enough to get you to the next round, though.
Please check my comment below.
Kevin (aka Ryan Seacrest): Hey Manav, I realize you have been busy on the road traveling for work so just finding the place and time to get your review pounded out was an accomplishment in itself. Not sure how the judges are going to feel about the GSM noise your BlackBerry caused your recording equipment to pick up though. Hopefully the community won't penalize you too much for it when it comes time to vote. Let's check in with the judges.
Dieter: Dawg! Check the GSM noise, definitely kills the video and no idea what's going on there. Your review is much more professional and I'm glad to see you pointed out the "superapp-style" integration with the rest of the BlackBerry OS, that's definitely the strongest point for this app. Hate to say it, but despite your well-organized review, I think that GSM buzz might keep you from making it to the next round.
Georgia: Hello Manav, I found the feedback in this video quite disruptive and I could not review the video properly. The written review had some sentence structure issues but covered the applications basics. Thank you for adding the various things that this application lacks in comparison to other Twitter clients. I think the poor video may hinder your progress to the next stage of the competition, try to always review your video before you upload it. Good luck.
Craig: Wow that GSM feedback was terrible. Sadly because of it, the video was unwatchable. Maybe you never realized just how loud it was? Definitely check this before posting the video. Your blog post was pretty good and seemed to cover the things I'd care about in such an app. Realizing that English is your second language, I forgave some sentence structure issues.