Twitter iOS app review
Following the recent Twitter web UI redesign across all its platforms, the author reflects on interface inconsistencies that affect user experience across devices. The piece examines both improvements and areas needing enhancement.
Native UI vs 3rd party
The author transitioned from using third-party apps like TweetDeck to preferring Twitter's native interfaces as the platform improved. While third-party clients excel at multi-column layouts, native apps better suit preferences for checking updates in scheduled intervals rather than constant live feeds.
How Twitter could be further improved
Account switching
Mobile apps allow easy account switching, but the web interface lacks this feature. "The existing quick profile switching while composing a tweet...is especially useful," yet this convenience isn't extended to web users. Adding a "Switch account" link similar to Google's account bar would streamline managing multiple profiles.
Who follows who?
An inconsistency exists: the web UI indicates follower relationships, but mobile interfaces don't. This useful feature should appear across all platforms.
Search
Twitter's search capabilities have improved but remain limited. Users cannot search their own tweets or filter followers by name. The "@" mention autocomplete "sometimes it is able to find user I do follow...other times it completely fails."
Loading followers requires repeated scrolling through 20-user increments, causing API limit exhaustion. Pagination or "show all" options would help.
Other UI additions
One-handed mobile browsing needs better thumb control. Side-swipe navigation for returning to previous screens would improve usability.
Mac desktop app
The desktop application is "far too basic, does little well, and is frustrating to use."
What Twitter does well now
Search
Separating people and tweet searches makes sense despite initial confusion. The interface contextually switches between "Connect" and "Discover" search results effectively.
Tweet stream
Mobile loading improved significantly. Previously, tweets falling between refreshes disappeared permanently. Now users can fill temporal gaps by loading additional tweets, ensuring no content is missed.
Overall design
Both mobile and web interfaces have improved substantially, though iPad redesigns lag behind. The overall experience has become more pleasant, though minor usability quirks persist.