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Twitter Reportedly Discontinuing Development of Official Twitter for Mac Client

I'm guessing someone mentioned this above but twitter is quite well integrated in 10.8, maybe it's because of that that they don't see a need?

I quite like the twitter/sparrow style interface, it really works for me.
 
I'm disappointed by this as I actually quite like the official Mac client. It's fast and really convenient to use. Nice UI, though it could use some updates like an improved conversation view.

I did try out Tweetbot Alpha but it wasn't quite there yet, for me.

Seems really strange that they are discouraging 3rd party clients, yet dropping the official one? Do they have something else up their sleeve?

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charlieegan3 said:
I'm guessing someone mentioned this above but twitter is quite well integrated in 10.8, maybe it's because of that that they don't see a need?

I quite like the twitter/sparrow style interface, it really works for me.
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The Social APIs in Mountain Lion allow posting tweets, and using Twitter as a single-sign-on / authentication provider. But they don't provide access to "reading" Twitter, so you still need a client for that.
 
Tweetdeck user here. If they can't commit to keeping up with the competition it's probably for the best they're pulling the main client. It's needed updates for a while.

Oddly the official twitter iPad app is really nice and well thought out. Hmm.

There's a lot more functionality in tweetdeck anyway.
 
I don't understand what's going on with Twitter lately, to be honest. Is this the same Twitter that bought apps so that they could have official versions on the Mac and iPhone? Did they have a change of leadership?

What good will this do to increase Twitter adoption across various platforms? I heard there was this issue about finances, and making Twitter self-sustainable, so is it about ads? If yes, an excellent way to get ads out to people is to offer ad-supported apps. Just a tip. And, well... You have this app called "Twitter for Mac" that you could use as a vehicle for this along with an option for people to buy themselves free from ads, so that sounds pretty go... Oh. You just cancelled it.
 
I use it but I'm not too bothered as I'll be switching to Tweetbot as soon as its available.

Its not like I can even remember the last time the Twitter app saw an update anyway.
 
What if the reason for these new rules and the discontinuing support for the Twitter for Mac is Twitter's way of trying to push everyone to the web (www.twitter.com) and then add some ADs? :X
 
charlieegan3 said:
I'm guessing someone mentioned this above but twitter is quite well integrated in 10.8, maybe it's because of that that they don't see a need?

I quite like the twitter/sparrow style interface, it really works for me.
Click to expand...

Yes, I thought about this too, that maybe they are satisfied with that support. However, it doesn't make much sense when I think about it, since Twitter has been on a spree to restrict third-party clients lately and seem to be frowning upon software that replicate core Twitter functionality, because they want to be in control of the "Twitter experience". Apple is probably very much in control in how they want their Twitter support to work. And it isn't even complete support; not even close. Yes, there's the web for that, but even Twitter must realize that a native client offers a better experience? Why cancel it when it was already there? A few minor improvements and it would have been awesome.

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MkNuII said:
What if the reason for these new rules and the discontinuing support for the Twitter for Mac is Twitter's way of trying to push everyone to the web (www.twitter.com) and then add some ADs? :X
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I think so too, that this is the answer. :( But it's so stupid. They could provide ads in their native apps too if they wished, and even offer functionality to buy yourself free from them. It's like App Financing 101. Their website will never offer the same quality experience that I expect on a Mac as a native app.
 
Well lets just wait for TweetBot to go live in the Mac App Store - thats a much better Twitter experience.

Using Twitter in a browser is horrendous...
 
Clocknova said:
Um. . . why do we need a Twitter for Mac app? It's a website. You can use a web browser to access it if you want to. Non-issue.
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q64ceo said:
...If I may ask you Twitter folks, why is a native application really necessary for OS X?
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For the same sort of reasons that many people use native email client apps like Mail, Sparrow, etc. - e.g. smaller screen footprint, added functionality, better GUI, etc. Some prefer in-browser, some native.

micky1234 said:
Rumor: Twitter buying TweetBot for MAC
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Possible. Not sure how much they paid for Atebits in 2010 (developer of Tweetie, which became Twitter for Mac & iOS) but that sum would be a write-off if they now buy TapBots.

StarDal said:
Don't forget, TweetDeck was bought by Twitter.
...
Maybe TweetDeck will eventually become the Twitter App.
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Again, possible. Maybe we'll see TweetDeck and TweetDeck Lite, or TweetDeck Pro ($$$) and TweetDeck Free.

AJKing said:
Twitter integration into Mac OS. That's why.
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This doesn't include an actual Twitter client - as some have said. OS integration will make it easier to post stuff to Twitter (photos, web links etc.) but doesn't do anything (yet) for viewing a timeline & interacting.

Unless of course Apple are toying with the idea of integrating Twitter support into the Messages App; Apple certainly have the financial clout to strike a better deal with Twitter over API tokens than, say TapBots.

mixel said:
...
Oddly the official twitter iPad app is really nice and well thought out. Hmm.
...
Click to expand...

YMMV but IMHO I find the native iPad app the worst of the three. I don't like their implementation of the swipe functionality - just seems like trying to cope with three of four loose pieces of paper on a windy day. It was the iPad that converted me over to TweetBot. Shame I missed out on the OS X alpha but hopefully the real thing will be in the App Store soon. But, each to his/her own :)

Frisco said:
Maybe because 99 percent of the World is on Windows :confused:
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Ignoring the debate about percentage market share :) - remember that Twitter for Mac is actually the former Tweetie app, which was always a Mac-only client (plus its iOS counterpart). So, if they bought it and were then disappointed at market share, they only have themselves to blame. :D
 
That's why there isn't any retina support... and I deleted the app on my rMBP. :(
 
Sandstorm said:
Don't like the recent developments from Twitter, but neglecting (or even shutting down) the Mac app is absolutely disappointing. :(
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I'm glad one person in this entire thread can be humble about this.


econgeek said:
Good to know. I made a call today too. Twitter for me is done. I won't quit completely right away, but the writing is on the wall and I'm less inclined to use the service these days anyway.
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Just because they dropped support for your precious Mac? Plenty of vitriol in this thread, and you're just reinforcing all the negative stereotypes that Apple fanboys have surrounding them.
 
Last edited:
Northgrove said:
I think so too, that this is the answer. :( But it's so stupid. They could provide ads in their native apps too if they wished, and even offer functionality to buy yourself free from them. It's like App Financing 101. Their website will never offer the same quality experience that I expect on a Mac as a native app.
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Well they said they will not "update" Twitter for Mac anymore.. we don't know if:

  • Apple is creating their own alternative with integration in iOS devices and OSX having a Twitter agreement.
  • Twitter is creating a new paid app (or with ADs).

And these are just a small examples that I could though of. We really don't know what happens behind the scenes :x
 
I use twitter a lot, but honestly I never really use the Mac twitter client all that much. It seems pointless, when it's just as easy to use twitter in Safari.
 
Reason077 said:
The Social APIs in Mountain Lion allow posting tweets, and using Twitter as a single-sign-on / authentication provider. But they don't provide access to "reading" Twitter, so you still need a client for that.
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This is true, but thats the only reason I can see for them doing this.
 
Mixed feelings:

Generally Twitter seems have taken complete leave of it's senses. Over time, this will dick them over and is terrible news.

However, in the short run, every software "update" Twitter has done since V4 of the iPhone app has made their software much worse, so maybe it's a blessing. They'd have only ruined the Mac app anyway.

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s15119 said:
How do you want them to pay for the service they provide you. Do YOU want to pay for it?
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I would gladly pay Twitter if they'd stop mucking around third party clients.

Particularily since, if the software cost money, I could vote with my wallet when versions are crap.
 
We're heading towards a forced ecosystem. You'll have to use their website, their apps. Its the only way they can get a stable income.
 
Twitter are clearly just trying to bottle-neck their widely spread user base onto one platform. I understand the benefits they'll get by moving people away from 3rd party clients: more control, more accurate analytics, less interference with their monetization plans etc. but for them to just discontinue their own client at the same time as releasing the V1.1 of the API. It just comes across like they don't actually want people to use Twitter anymore. This seems to be a very dangerous move with the rising popularity and publicity of rival services like app.net.
 
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