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Twitter put a bird on it in 2006 when it first launched. At the time, the design of the social networking and microblogging service was classy and unique. Seven years later, the bird remains and so to many of the company’s initial features. Its about time Twitter followed in Apple’s footsteps and redesigned the app from the ground up. According to AllThingsD, it is about to.
Today, AllThingsD is reporting that Twitter is planning a “massive overhaul of its mobile apps.” The new look is designed to make the service more appealing to mainstream users.
Although iOS 7 will be ready to download on Wednesday, Sept. 18, the big Twitter update will not be available just yet. According to The D, Twitter will release a small update soon after iOS 7 launches and have a more significant app update later on. The new version will be the third major interface change in seven years.
The D claims to have spoken with someone familiar with the iOS 7-friendly version of Twitter who described some of the changes. The four tabs at the bottom of the screen will be replaced with a swipe-through gesture motion instead. New screen views will include the ability to see streams of interactions between other users and conversations they are having, the traditional reverse-chronological stream, and a stream dedicated entirely to photos shared on Twitter.
According to the unnamed source, the update will make the Twitter experience more visual with a heavy emphasis on multimedia. You will no longer need to click inside a tweet to see a photo or video. It will already be in the stream.
The D is also reporting that Twitter is experimenting with a stream that is dedicated solely to TV-related tweets and conversations. Twitter has been gearing more toward a television-related focus for a while now. This would make the transition from a hashtag or “@” on a commercial to direct information about a TV show more seamless for new Twitter users.
Keep an eye out over the next few weeks for Twitters next big thing. Hopefully the redesign won’t be too different for the billion users who tend to have heart attacks whenever the company changes things.
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