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Why Do Twitter Apps On The iPhone Rock, But Are Lacking On the Desktop?

What is it about Twitter apps that are fantastic on the iPhone and lacking on the desktop? Tweetie, Twitterrific and Echofon all rock on the iPhone, but when it comes to the desktop version, they’re all lacking in the latest and greatest Twitter features.

TwitterrificLets start with Twitterrific, if you’ve used it, you know that it doesn’t even have a re-tweet option. I’m not talking about the new fancy one either, I’m talking about just re-posting someone elses tweet with an re: in the front of it. It hasn’t been updated in years and lacks many features. It’d also be nice to separate into tabs DMs, RTs, and have an area for search.

TweetieEchofon and Tweetie are better. Both have support for multiple accounts, separate tabs for mentions and direct messages, but both lack lists; which is one of my favorite new features. Tweetie has also yet to add the new re-tweet feature and Echofon is missing saved searches. Again, they’re better, but the iPhone versions are so much better.

EchofonNow I still have faith in the desktop version of Tweetie and Echofon coming out with new versions with all the latest features, but I’m thinking Twitterrific is unfortunately as good as it’s going to get.

Update: Less than 24 hours after I wrote this post, Echofon updated with list support! It also includes an updated icon.

TweetDeckOhh and then there is TweetDeck. The desktop version does have all the same features, but the iPhone version is just so much nicer. I’m not sure if it’s the layout, the unified look, or iPhone technology, but rocks on the iPhone.

Do you suppose that it could be that the iPhone versions make more money? Is that what this is all about? If so, then developers should think about lowering the price on the desktop version to encourage more people to purchase. At $3 for a desktop app, I wouldn’t think twice. But price it at $15 or $20 and I’m not so sure and can deal with a few ads.

Now don’t get me wrong, all four Twitter apps are great, but I find it surprising that they put so much time into the iPhone version and let the desktop version take a back seat. If the desktop version of Twitterrific was anything like the iPhone version, I’d be in love. Unfortunately, that just doesn’t seem to be in the cards.


2 Responses

  1. A complete overhaul of Twitterrific for the Mac is currently in the works. This is a re-write from the ground up and unfortunately takes time. So hang in for that.

    As for your general theory about iPhone vs desktop – Apple sold 8.3 million iPhones last quarter vs 1.25 million desktop systems. Which platform do you think is more attractive to developers at this point in time?

    Just sayin’. 🙂

    • Thomas says:

      Thanks for the update Gedeon! I’m extremely excited for a new Twitterrific and I can’t wait to see it. Any ideas on when it might surface? Or need a beta tester? 🙂

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