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Twitter.app vs. twitter.com
aka
A desktop widget vs. a website
It was not until recently that I got addicted to Twitter. And by addicted I mean, checking it 25-30 times a day as compared to once every two days. A lot of this I attribute to a lazy Christmas break I had.
As I said, I was never a big Twitter user to purchase any of their several clients for the iPhone. But once they acquired Tweetie and published ‘Twitter for iPhone’ for free, I bought it! And needless to say, I started using Twitter more frequently (still only once every two-three days).
Back in September when Twitter redesigned their website, I was one of their happy customers. The screen on the new design seemed way too cluttered yet it had a nice flow to it. Despite all the extra information provided on one page, I could easily differentiate between the tweet timeline and the profile tab. What I also liked was their unique marketing, something unusual for a redesigned website. (and I don’t understand what stopped Facebook from using this design in 2006.. but anyway..)
After graduating to be one of their heavy users and despite loving their new website, I found myself using their iPhone app much more than its .com version. The only time I would log onto their website was when my phone was tucked deep in my pocket and/or I was already on my computer. Even that incentive was taken away when Twitter for Mac debuted in the Mac App Store early this week. To be honest with you, I don’t see myself using the website any more unless I lose my phone or I’m not by my Mac.
With the launch of the Mac App Store, there is no doubt that we are going to see people download more apps in the coming days and months. Now the big question is, are we going to see these apps replace(kill) their web counterparts?
There are a couple of reasons I think they will.
1. Apps offer a very lightweight version of the website without compromising on the data provided. By lightweight I mean,
a. Occupies less screen real estate. Thus letting me have multiple windows open on my 13” screen.
b. It has a one click open, close, reopen – all with no/minimal typing
2. Gives you a feeling that they exist on YOUR COMPUTER and not on the web, hence making them readily available to you.
The experience I’’ve had with using Twitter has reinstated my belief that though the web is not dead yet, it surely is dying a slow one.
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