 "Twitter releases official app for Windows 8 and RT")
At long last Twitter has released its official app for Windows 8 and Windows RT today. The specially constructed app seems to be a snug fit in the Windows 8 eco-system with features such as Search and Share charms, Snap Views, Live Tiles and Notifications native to the platform.
The newly designed app makes optimum use of Windows 8’s horizontal scroll feature with Discover and Search tabs moving in that direction; the highlight is directly upon individual tweets and photos. Photographs have especially received royal treatment with this app – clicking on a picture opens up a full-screen view so that you can go through them at ease. Of course, this extends to not just single images but entire photo galleries too.
Horizontal Profile scroll on Twitter
The Twitter app uses Windows 8’s Share charm using which you can share photos, links and more from other apps and Internet Explorer 10 to Twitter. The app fits into a “Snap” view that shows up a single column of tweets when it is docked. “You’ll be able to keep up with the conversations that are happening on Twitter while you watch a streaming video or read a news story. With snap view, you can adjust the size of the app to one-third, two-thirds or full screen,” Mike Kruzeniski, Design Lead for Twitter, wrote in a blog announcing the release of the app.
Live Tiles and Notifications has been the USP of the Windows 8 platform and Twitter’s app hasn’t missed a beat to adapt itself to it. You will be able to receive notification of new tweets, mentions and direct messages if you’re using Twitter for Windows 8, no matter what app you’re using at that point of time.
Twitter had announced the arrival of an official Windows 8 app back in October, but has taken nearly half a year to deliver it. In the meanwhile, many third-party clients managed to cross the finish line way before Twitter. Now, we all know Twitter is not exactly a fan of third-party apps, with all of them having token limits. Folks using Windows 8 and Windows RT are sure to heave a sigh of relief with the availability of the official Twitter app.
Late last month, Twitter spread cheer in the Microsoft camp with a major overhaul to its Windows Phone app by giving it the Metro UI treatment. It also extended its support to Live Tiles feature with this update. The new interface of the app kept the four-column look intact, carrying it forward from Twitter’s own apps from iOS, Android and BlackBerry 10 platforms.
Photo Streams too look beautiful
The Windows Phone version of Twitter allows for lock screen and custom Live Tile feature that shows up notifications. You can even pin your favourite lists and profiles on to the start screen for faster access.
A universal tweet button found its way to the Windows Phone app too, using which you can send out tweets from wherever you are in the app.
This app update had been a long time coming, considering how Twitter had did not manage to make optimum use of the platform to build a performance oriented app. The new release delighted users with its release and they have been raving about it in the Windows Store comments section.
You can get your hands on Twitter for Windows 8 from the Windows Store here in more than 20 languages.
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