TwitterMobile Review
Following my previous review about Twibble mobile application, I was asked to try out TwitterMobile. The application is produced by Tricast Solutions from UK and is written in J2ME so it should work on many mobile phones in the market. However, currently it works only on Sony-Ericsson and Nokia S60 240*320 devices. Lucky for me, I have a Nokia 6210 Navigator phone which have the right screen size, so I could try the application.
Unlike Twibble, installation process is easy and user friendly. The user selects his phone type, enter his email and phone number and press the download button. Next, the user receives a special SMS message with a link to download the client. Pressing the link open-up the a mobile download page with a link to download the actual client. BTW, the mobile page seems to recognize the mobile model, but it turns out that’s due to the link. Meaning, the mobile site does NOT recognize the device’s user agent. This might cause problems for users who didn’t put the right model at the beginning of the process. It also means that Tricast could have saved 2-3 clicks till the actual download, but, it’s not a biggy.
Download completed, it’s time to test the application. If I had to describe the application user-experience in one word, it will 
have to be – Wow! The GUI is beautiful, just like Tricast say in their site. Using TWUIK reach media engine, the application flows elegantly between tweets and application options. The menu is not your conventional left-button-opens-a-doll-menu, but rather, a cool, mac-like graphic choices. Great job there Tricast!
However, this is where the complements stop and the complains begin; and there’re quite a few of them. First of all, the user is not given a choice to save his password locally. More secured? maybe, but it’s annoying to type my 10-characters password. Next, the phone’s security manager prompt the user many times for web access approval. This is because the application is not signed-in with a certificate. Oh well, I could live with that (still, the GUI make up for it).
We’re not done though. Unlike Twibble, Twitter Mobile doesn’t have the option to open a link inside a tweet. But wait, there’s more! if you want to tweet, you can but there’s no option to attach a picture! How lame is that?! I mean, the main point (at least for me) for having a mobile twitter application, is to tweet about an interesting event and add a picture to it. That in itself was enough to persuade me to stick with Twibble, but it’s not over here. Want to check your @replies or your @direct-messages? Sorry. You have to pay 1.99£ for that. Yes, you heard me. A fee for a free service. No way, José.
The bottom line is that the application gets an A+ on the cool factor but fails in usability. Perhaps Tricast is using the client to demonstrate its TWUIK technology, I don’t know. I do know that if they hope to make serious money from the application itself, they will have to enable picture attachment, URL linking and most importantly, free basic services in twitter.
Tags: J2ME, mobile application, pictures, Tricast, twibble, Twitter, TWUIK, user experience
August 11th, 2009 at 10:30
Hi,
Great review of twittermobile. You make some very interesting points. My version allows me to select links within post though… you should check to ensure you have the most recent version.
August 11th, 2009 at 10:49
Hi Lewis.
Thanks for your nice words.
My version number is 2.2. Is yours newer?
August 11th, 2009 at 10:59
My version is 2.2 aswell. User name links are not available but urls are. I’ve also heard Pictures will be supported soon. Which in my opinion will make this the client of choice. In regards to the network prompts navigator has a security setting which will allow you to grant access for an entire session.
August 11th, 2009 at 11:08
Hi,
I had been using Twittermobile and its great application, UI is fantastic and easy to use. Much better than other applications in the market….
Ajaz
August 11th, 2009 at 11:36
Lewis and Ajaz,
How can you navigate to the links? I couldn’t find a way to do it.
Would you pay for such application to see your replies and DM?
Tzahi
August 11th, 2009 at 11:42
Links could only be navigated to in list view, which in my opinion is bit of a flaw however Im sure this will be fixed. From what I gather this application is still under continuous development, so I expect to see some changes in the future. We have to remember twibble has been around longer so if TwitterMobile iron out these little flaws… its going to be an Amazing Application!
As for paying for the application… my understanding is that all good IPhone apps have a price… this is one of the best J2ME apps… at a price cheaper than any mobile game… Bargain.
August 11th, 2009 at 12:29
Hey Tzah, thanks for the review. Now using Twittermobile as my preferred mobile client. Definitely the best looking and easy to use app out there. Well worth the £1.99 for the complete version.
August 11th, 2009 at 14:31
Lewis and Shaid,
I agree with you both. Once the following features/fixed are implemented, the app will worth £1.99:
- picture attachment
- link viewing from ‘map view’
- password local storing.
Tzahi
August 14th, 2009 at 00:56
[...] Nokia 6210 Navigator is indeed smart. I like installing applications on it like TwitterMobile and Waze. I would definitely suggest users upgrading their phone to consider it as an option. [...]
August 17th, 2009 at 10:58
Hey looks like they have taken your advice and included liks in the map view!!
and in the update your password is now saved!! Good job!
August 17th, 2009 at 11:00
Thanks Lewis. But what about the pictures attachments?
August 17th, 2009 at 13:26
not yet
November 17th, 2009 at 11:07
[...] Nokia 6210 Navigator is indeed smart. I like installing applications on it like TwitterMobile and Waze. I would definitely suggest users upgrading their phone to consider it as an option. [...]