TweetDeck for the iPhone Brings Popular Desktop Experience to the iPhone

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

TweetDeck for iPhone is the little brother of the most popular desktop Twitter client. The free iPhone version of TweetDeck is greeted with open arms by users of its older sibling, but not everyone will consider it as the best iPhone Twitter client. Many cool features such GPS support and quick search as found in TwitterFon and Twitterrific are absent in this version. But some striking positives in this version include multiple accounts support, and shake-to-update feature, and desk top synchronization. Similar to the unique feature of the desktop version, the TweetDeck for the iPhone also allows you set up columns. After creating a TweetDeck account you will be able to synchronize column settings between the two versions.

The interface of Twit Deck iPhone is similar to Palm’s webOS . Each category is displayed in the form of a "card" and will enlarge to full screen when clicked on it. The top screen shows latest notifications. TweetDeck comes with a dark theme which is cool. The highlights which allows users to quickly spot tweets that are relevant in the "All Friends" column, is missing. However, unread tweets will get highlighted in this version. Moving from one column to other can be done easily by clicking on either arrow buttons or by swiping horizontally across the screen. In this view mode you will not be able to add columns or go to the "Settings" option. Adding and editing columns in TweetDeck: Setting up a new column is very easy with TweetDeck but adding a user for new column is not that easy. You will need several refreshes for finding the names you’re looking for. In the page view mode you can click on gear wheel icon in the top right corner of each column to edit properties like page order, group name, group members and refresh rate.

The following are some of TweekDeck for the iPhone’s features.

Tweet-view mode and composing

Tweet-view mode offers extra buttons like "send DM", the "retweet" and "email tweet". The controls available on the composing page include a URL-shortening button, profile location button and picture attachment button.

Profile viewing

Other than the add-to-group button, and there is no dedicated button for viewing @ replies of the account. Also the add-to-group button is experiencing frequent crashing.

Special features: "Sync Columns" and "Quick Follow"

If you come across a username that you want to follow quickly, you can just click on the "More" button present in the bottom right corner and then select the "Quick Follow", now type in the required username and click "Follow" button. The "Sync Columns" function can be used for syncing with your TweetDeck desktop client. There is also a "Shake Refresh" feature which can be enabled under the "Settings" tab.