Tweetbot app steals Twitter’s iPhone thunder

Despite sudo-demands by Twitter that third-party developers no longer release clients that replicate Twitter’s functionality, the folks at TapBot have launched a new app for iPhone, Tweetbot, that could unseat Twitter’s official app as the go-to mobile software.

Last night’s release of Tweetbot immediately had Twitter abuzz with micro-chatter about the new client, which doesn’t bode well for Twitter’s quest to keep its official Twitter for iPhone app the primary mobile client.

Unlike Twitter for iPhone, which is free, Tweetbot costs $1.99 to download. For that, users get a smooth functionality with a dose of cool personality in the form of sounds, animations and graphics that add to — rather than distract from — the experience.

As many will notice, Tweetbot’s user interface is reminiscent of the official Twitter app, but with heavy bit of polish that Twitter for iPhone lacks.

One of the first major features delivered by Tweetbot is the addition of “multiple timelines,” which allows users to view their lists in place of their full feed. So, if you only want to see tweets by a certain group, rather than the fire hose flowing from everyone you follow, simply tap the timeline bar at the top of the app screen, and pick which list you’d like to view.

Other useful Tweetbot perks include the ability to easily view conversation threads, and “smart gestures,” which allows a wide variety of functionality, like reply-to, retweet, etc, simply by double- or triple-tapping the tweet. Tweetbot also lets users customize their tab bar at the bottom of the screen, so their most-used functions can be a touch away.

As TechCrunch notes, Twitter may have doomed its official iPhone app with the launch of the QuickBar (more commonly known as the “dickbar”), which abruptly inserted ads onto users’ timeline screens, and shattered confidence in Twitter’s ability to maintain the app’s clean functionality.

The QuickBar is now dead. What remains to be seen, however, is how peppy Twitter for iPhone will be after more users get a feel for the smooth running gun of Tweetbot.

We’ve only had a short time to explore the app, so far. For a complete (and highly positive) rundown of Tweetbot and all its shiny bits and pieces, check out Shawn Blanc’s review here.

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