Download Squad http://downloadsquad.switched.com Download Squad http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/media/feedlogo.gif Download Squad http://downloadsquad.switched.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[TweetDeck to launch as HTML5 Web app, now accepting beta testers]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/06/tweetdeck-to-launch-as-web-app-now-accepting-beta-testers/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/06/tweetdeck-to-launch-as-web-app-now-accepting-beta-testers/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/06/tweetdeck-to-launch-as-web-app-now-accepting-beta-testers/#comments When TweetDeck landed in the Chrome Web Store, it seemed like an indication that it might eventually evolve into a pure HTML5 Web app. Now it looks as though that's exactly what's going to happen, with TweetDeck announcing that a new, not-just-for-Chrome Web client is ready for beta testing.

It's a natural progression for TweetDeck, especially since its originally Adobe Air app is practically all Web code. TweetDeck Web will sport a feature set which is nearly identical to the Chrome app, with the notable exception of Twitter streaming.

Initially, TweetDeck is targeting Firefox 4 and 3.6, Google Chrome, and Safari. Opera and Internet Explorer 9 won't be invited to the dance until a bit later on.

If you'd like to get in on the TweetDeck Web beta, head on over and register -- or sign up using your existing TweetDeck account.

Download SquadTweetDeck to launch as HTML5 Web app, now accepting beta testers originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activity streamsActivityStreamsappssocialsocialnetworkingstreamstweetdecktwitterwebweb appsWebAppsWed, 06 Apr 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Echofon Twitter client for Firefox redesigned and updated for Firefox 4]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/echofon-twitter-client-for-firefox-redesigned-and-updated-for-fi/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/echofon-twitter-client-for-firefox-redesigned-and-updated-for-fi/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/echofon-twitter-client-for-firefox-redesigned-and-updated-for-fi/#comments With the recent release of Firefox 4, Echofon has just put out a major update of its Twitter extension for Firefox, featuring a new design and takes full advantage of Mozilla's latest browser. Echofon can now be used as a Firefox sidebar or pulled out into a separate window, and it now includes inline photo viewing and an all-around nicer UI for your tweet stream.

Some cool Echofon desktop features have made their way into the Firefox extension this time around, too. It supports muting of users, hashtags, and even specific Twitter clients, as well as saved searches (with a handy new tabbed interface). The very useful conversation view has also been added, allowing you to keep up with @reply chatter more easily.

Echofon for Firefox plans to support real-time tweet streaming through Twitter's user streams API, but that's still pending approval from Twitter. This update is still in Beta, so it might have some issues, but the Firefox extension is now giving standalone Echofon desktop apps a run for their money.

Download SquadEchofon Twitter client for Firefox redesigned and updated for Firefox 4 originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onsappsbrowser add-onsBrowserAdd-onsechofonextensionsfirefoxmozillatwitterTue, 05 Apr 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter beefs up People search with associated name discovery]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/twitter-beefs-up-people-search-with-associated-name-discovery/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/twitter-beefs-up-people-search-with-associated-name-discovery/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/04/05/twitter-beefs-up-people-search-with-associated-name-discovery/#comments Twitter People Search Twitter has finally made its people search algorithm a little more useful. It's integrated the ability to search for people using associated terms. For instance searching for 'Tech' might bring up a bunch of tech journalists or publications, where as searching for 'hip hop' will bring up some hip hop artists as suggestions. Previously the Twitter people search would only bring up people with the keyword search term actually in their username.

Twitter has also rolled out an Advanced Search page, which lets you drill down with exact phrase matching, and other conditional searching additions. It'll even let you search using positive, negative, question, and retweet inclusion modifiers, with the best bit being that you can use emoticons to do it. :)

Download SquadTwitter beefs up People search with associated name discovery originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>searchsocial networkingSocialNetworkingTwitterWebTue, 05 Apr 2011 05:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for iOS updated with iPad 2 photo and video capture support]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-ipad-2-photo-and-video-capture-supp/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-ipad-2-photo-and-video-capture-supp/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/25/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-ipad-2-photo-and-video-capture-supp/#comments Twitter for iPad 2 camera support Twitter has updated its iOS app today, bringing it to version 3.3.2. It integrates support for snapping pictures and capturing videos with the iPad 2. This means that you can now quickly take a picture or record a video with your shiny new iPad and instantly share it with the world via Twitter.

Since Twitter has one iOS app that works across all of Apple's mobile devices, this update is also available for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Alongside camera support for the iPad 2, Twitter for iOS 3.3.2 has disabled location change monitoring, something that was causing the compass to constantly show up inside the app. A lot of bugs have also been squashed, following user reported crashes of the app.

Download Twitter for iOS 3.3.2 for free from the iTunes App Store

Download SquadTwitter for iOS updated with iPad 2 photo and video capture support originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsIOSipad 2ipad cameraIpad2IpadCameraphotographysocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwittertwitter for iosTwitterForIosvideoFri, 25 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Useful keyboard shortcuts for Twitter.com]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/18/useful-keyboard-shortcuts-for-twitter-com/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/18/useful-keyboard-shortcuts-for-twitter-com/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/18/useful-keyboard-shortcuts-for-twitter-com/#comments Twitter.com keyboard shortcuts When Twitter.com unveiled its recent overhaul at the end of 2010, one of the least-discussed features was the addition of some excellent keyboard shortcuts.

Some keyboard shortcuts only work from some pages, but we'll mark those where appropriate.
  • n -- post a new status update (works from any page)
  • r -- reply to your selected tweet
  • t -- retweet (only works on Twitter profiles other than your own)
  • m -- direct message (but it doesn't auto-fill the recipient)
  • / -- move the cursor to the search box
  • . -- move back to the top of the page, and check feed for updates
  • g then h -- go to your home page (twitter.com)
  • g then r -- see your @ mentions
  • g then m -- see your direct messages
  • g then p -- go to your profile page (twitter.com/username)
  • g then u -- go to a specific user's profile page (it pops up a dialog box)
For a complete list of keyboard shortcuts, type ?.

Now, if you don't use Twitter.com (which is about 65% of Twitter's users), these keyboard shortcuts probably won't work. Every installed Twitter client has different keyboard shortcuts (and some don't have any at all). If you want to lessen your mouse hand dependency, your best bet is to simply head to Google and type the name of your client + "keyboard shortcuts".

For more tech tips, check our tips index.

Download SquadUseful keyboard shortcuts for Twitter.com originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hotkeyskeyboardkeyboard shortcutsKeyboardShortcutssocial networkingsocial-networkingSocialNetworkingtipstwitterFri, 18 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter puts its foot down, calls for client consistency and tightens controls]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/12/twitter-puts-its-foot-down-calls-for-client-consistency-and-tig/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/12/twitter-puts-its-foot-down-calls-for-client-consistency-and-tig/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/12/twitter-puts-its-foot-down-calls-for-client-consistency-and-tig/#commentsRealistically, the writing has been on the wall for quite some time when it comes to Twitter's attitude toward non-official clients -- likely around the time the company turned Tweetie into Twitter for iPhone. Now, in a developer forum, Twitter's Ryan Sarver has penned a post which leaves little doubt.

"[...]user research shows that consumers continue to be confused by the different ways that a fractured landscape of third-party Twitter clients display tweets and let users interact with core Twitter functions." says Sarver.

It's time for that to come to an end, Twitter believes, and the company will begin enforcing standards very strictly.
Existing clients will continue to function, reveals Sarver, so it's not that Twitter is simply pulling the pin.

Popular apps like Seesmic and TweetDeck likely won't be affected either, since they're designed to provide a more complete social networking dashboard -- not merely a different interface for Twitter. Sarver also encourages developers to start focusing on vertical markets (like customer relations) and analysis instead of mimicking official client functionality.

Download SquadTwitter puts its foot down, calls for client consistency and tightens controls originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsclientclientsdevdevelopersocialsocialnetworkingtwitterwebSat, 12 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter backpedals on the Quickbar, makes it no longer cover tweets]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/09/twitter-backpedals-on-the-quickbar-makes-it-no-longer-cover-tweets/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/09/twitter-backpedals-on-the-quickbar-makes-it-no-longer-cover-tweets/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/09/twitter-backpedals-on-the-quickbar-makes-it-no-longer-cover-tweets/#commentsTwitter 3.3.1 for iOS Twitter has reacted to the backlash about the Quickbar, the new addition to its iOS apps that shows you trending topics (including promoted trends). The Quickbar was introduced in an update to Twitter for iOS that became available on March 3, and, in just a few days, it's been made very clear that people really hate it. So Twitter decided to step up and submitted an updated version of its app to Apple last Friday, just one day after the previous one was released. While Apple was reviewing the new version, however, the term "dickbar" was created along with its own hashtag, and a quick Twitter search will let you know just how people feel about the Quickbar.

The newly available Twitter app for iOS, version 3.3.1, still has the Quickbar, however it will no longer cover tweets once you scroll down. Twitter also says that it's fixed some bugs in this version, however some users are discovering that even more bugs may have been introduced. The Next Web has received reports of an erratic Quickbar, that sometimes even shows up at the middle of the screen, as well as the coming back of a Direct Messages bug that was thought to have been eradicated -- every time you open the app, the top three DMs are marked as unread. Alongside these bugs, it looks like the new Twitter app always displays the location icon when it is in use. Of course, as with all bugs, you may be lucky and never see any of the above -- or you may be very unlucky and get all three of them.

Twitter will surely continue to pump out updates to squash these bugs, however it may have already lost some users due to the recent mishaps. With dozens of Twitter apps available for iOS, it's not like they're short of choices.

Download Twitter 3.3.1 for iOS from the iTunes App Store

Download SquadTwitter backpedals on the Quickbar, makes it no longer cover tweets originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsbacklashIOSipadiphoneipod touchIpodTouchquickbarsocial networkingsocial-networkingSocialNetworkingtwitterWed, 09 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Google introduces new Twitter snippets in search results]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-introduces-new-twitter-snippets-in-search-results/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-introduces-new-twitter-snippets-in-search-results/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/07/google-introduces-new-twitter-snippets-in-search-results/#comments new twitter snippets on google Google has made some improvements to the way Twitter accounts show up in search results. Rather than just a link to the account, you'll now see improved snippets featuring the Twitter user's icon and most recent tweet.

It doesn't sound like a big deal, but the new enhanced snippets are particularly useful when you're trying to distinguish between two people with the same name, or when you're trying to click on the official Twitter account of a celebrity or website instead of just getting one of their fan feeds.

Download SquadGoogle introduces new Twitter snippets in search results originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>googlesearchsearch resultsSearchResultssnippetstwittertwitter searchTwitterSearchMon, 07 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Remove quick bar from Twitter for iOS using Twizzler]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/remove-quick-bar-from-twitter-for-ios-using-twizzler/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/remove-quick-bar-from-twitter-for-ios-using-twizzler/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/04/remove-quick-bar-from-twitter-for-ios-using-twizzler/#commentsIf you've got a jailbroken iPhone, you can easily remove the annoying new "quick bar" from the official Twitter for iPhone app. A free app called Twizzler does the trick, and it's available in the Cydia store right now. Just install Twizzler, relaunch Twitter, and the quick bar is gone. No fuss necessary.

Now, if only Twitter would add this option to the official app's settings ...

Download SquadRemove quick bar from Twitter for iOS using Twizzler originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cydiaiosiphonejailbreakquick barQuickBartwittertwitter for iphoneTwitterForIphonetwizzlerFri, 04 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The best Windows Twitter clients: from TweetDeck to tweetc]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/the-best-windows-twitter-clients-from-tweetdeck-to-tweetc/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/the-best-windows-twitter-clients-from-tweetdeck-to-tweetc/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/the-best-windows-twitter-clients-from-tweetdeck-to-tweetc/#commentsWith more than 190 million users, and less than half of those using Twitter.com to post updates, the installed Twitter client market is massive. There are literally hundreds of Twitter clients spanning every desktop and mobile platform, and even a few cross-platform Web apps thrown into the mix.

Even if you narrow down the search to just one platform -- Windows -- there's still a dizzying amount of choices to pick from. There isn't even an official Twitter for Windows that scared newbies can pick up.

Well, good news: We've whittled down the choices so that you only have to choose from the best of the rest. From the typographically beautiful and slimline MetroTwit, to the heavy-hitting tour de force of Seesmic, and a handful in between, we have a Twitter client for you.

Continue reading The best Windows Twitter clients: from TweetDeck to tweetc

Download SquadThe best Windows Twitter clients: from TweetDeck to tweetc originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adobe airAdobeAirappsbluchirpfacebookfeatureshands-onmetrotwitseesmicsilverlightsobeessocial networkingsocial-networkingSocialNetworkingtweetctweetdecktwitterwindowsThu, 03 Mar 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for iOS updated with "quick bar" and new friend finder]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-quick-bar-and-new-friend-finder/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-quick-bar-and-new-friend-finder/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/03/twitter-for-ios-updated-with-quick-bar-and-new-friend-finder/#commentsTwitter's iOS apps have been updated with several new features and UI tweaks. The first thing you'll notice in the iPhone version is the new "quick bar" at the top of your timeline. It displays a rotating list of trends, including promoted trends, and can't be disabled. It's a feature if you like trends, but it's just a pesky ad banner if you don't. The quick bar hasn't appeared in the iPad version of the app yet.

More useful are improvements to the "new tweet" interface, especially the addition of more obvious buttons to add a photo or tag a location. Usernames you're following now autocomplete, as well, making it easier to write replies on the go. There's also a new friend finder that scans your iOS contact list for friends with Twitter accounts. Whether these new features outweigh the annoyance of the quick bar is a matter of personal preference.

You can download Twitter in the App Store.

Download SquadTwitter for iOS updated with "quick bar" and new friend finder originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsiosipadiphonequick barQuickBarsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwitterThu, 03 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Eightbit.me is an 8-bit retro avatar builder, will eventually be a game]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/01/eightbit-me-is-an-8-bit-retro-avatar-builder-will-eventually-be/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/01/eightbit-me-is-an-8-bit-retro-avatar-builder-will-eventually-be/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/01/eightbit-me-is-an-8-bit-retro-avatar-builder-will-eventually-be/#comments eightbit.me avatars If you've started to notice your Twitter friends looking a little blocky lately, it's probably because they've got trendy 8-bit avatars from Eightbit.me. This site lets you create a full-body 8-bit avatar in your own image, from hair color, glasses and facial hair down to the outfit you're wearing. The plan is eventually to let all these personal avatars participate in some kind of game experience, but Eightbit.me hasn't yet said what the game will be.

Facial detail is obviously limited with only a couple dozen pixels to work with for each character's face, so sometimes it comes down to the clothes when you're trying to make your avatar distinctive. That shouldn't be a problem in the Eightbit.me user gallery or in the mysterious forthcoming game, but it's a bit of a pain on Twitter. When all your friends have gone 8-bit, one brunette with glasses looks just like another.

I hope Eightbit.me turns into an amazing game, but I also hope people stop using their 8-bit characters' heads as Twitter icons.

Download SquadEightbit.me is an 8-bit retro avatar builder, will eventually be a game originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>8-bitavatar creatorAvatarCreatoravatarseightbit.megamesgamingretrotwitterTue, 01 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for BlackBerry beta adds push notifications, threaded DM conversations]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/twitter-for-blackberry-beta-adds-push-notifications-threaded-dm/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/twitter-for-blackberry-beta-adds-push-notifications-threaded-dm/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/22/twitter-for-blackberry-beta-adds-push-notifications-threaded-dm/#commentstwitter for blackberry beta Twitter for BlackBerry has a new beta release that adds some very important features, including push notifications for @mentions, direct message threading, and geotagging support. Twitter for BlackBerry 1.1 beta is now available in the BlackBerry Beta Zone.

The new push @mentions feature notifies you with a pop-up when you get a new @reply, and you can set it to work with any @mention or cut down on spam by only pushing messages from people who follow you. For private messages, the new chat-style layout allows you to easily keep track of longer direct message conversations. There's also a #topic autocomplete feature that will automatically complete hashtags you've posted or searched for previously. On top of these new features, Twitter for BlackBerry also has an updated look that matches the new Twitter.com.

Sure, this a beta version, but the update looks like a must-have because of the pile of new features it introduces. At long last, the official Twitter client for BlackBerry is finally starting to catch up to the equivalent apps on other platforms!

Download SquadTwitter for BlackBerry beta adds push notifications, threaded DM conversations originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsblackberrypushpush notificationsPushNotificationstwitterTwitter for BlackBerryTwitterForBlackberryTue, 22 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Twidroyd and UberSocial - formerly UberTwitter - get Twitter API access back]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/twidroyd-and-ubersocial-formerly-ubertwitter-get-twitter-api/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/twidroyd-and-ubersocial-formerly-ubertwitter-get-twitter-api/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/21/twidroyd-and-ubersocial-formerly-ubertwitter-get-twitter-api/#commentsTwidroyd and UberSocial (formerly UberTwitter) have regained access to Twitter's APIs and should now be functioning as normal. Twitter suspended the apps -- owned by UberMedia -- pending changes that would bring them in line with Twitter's API terms of use. Ubermedia has made the changes to Twitter's satisfaction, although Twitter still intends to periodically review the company's apps for compliance. Two other Ubermedia apps, UberSocial for iPhone and UberCurrent, are still under review and haven't been restored yet.

In a public statement posted at TechCrunch, Twitter said,
Developers using the Twitter API have a responsibility not to violate the rules designed to protect our users and the long-term health and vitality of the Twitter platform. If you use the API that we support at great cost with our infrastructure and engineers, you sign up to abide by the rules for its use. While we don't pre-review every application the way, say, Apple does in its App Store, that is no excuse to violate the rules or see what you can get away with.
UberTwitter's name change to UberSocial apparently resolved the trademark part of Twitter's complaint, and a privacy issue surrounding DMs longer than 140 characters has also been fixed. When Twitter initially shut off UberMedia's apps, its said they were changing the content of users' tweets to make money, but never gave specifics. The problem must be fixed now, though, because Twitter has decided that UberMedia's apps now comply with the TOS.

Download SquadTwidroyd and UberSocial - formerly UberTwitter - get Twitter API access back originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidAPIappsblackberryiosmobilesuspensiontwidroydtwitterubermediaubersocialubertwitterviolationsMon, 21 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter suspends UberTwitter and Twidroyd for policy violations]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/ubertwitter-and-twidroyd-suspended-from-twitter-for-privacy-violations/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/ubertwitter-and-twidroyd-suspended-from-twitter-for-privacy-violations/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/18/ubertwitter-and-twidroyd-suspended-from-twitter-for-privacy-violations/#commentsUsers of popular Twitter clients UberTwitter and Twidroyd found that they couldn't log into Twitter today, and a post in the Twitter help center explains why: UberTwitter and Twidroyd have been suspended for violating Twitter's policies. TechCrunch followed up with Twitter on the suspensions and discovered that the suspended apps were violating Twitter's privacy, trademark and monetization rules.

Twitter spokesperson Carolyn Penner told TechCrunch, "Violations include, but aren't limited to, a privacy issue with private Direct Messages longer than 140 characters, trademark infringement, and changing the content of users' Tweets in order to make money."

Both UberTwitter and Twidroyd were recently purchased by UberMedia, a company that has been buying up Twitter clients (Echofon and TweetDeck are other recent purchases) and adding them to its Twitter ad network. The trademark issues probably arose because of the "Twitter" in UberTwitter's name, but whatever UberMedia did to provoke Twitter's ire is more likely an issue with paid tweets or tweeting ads on behalf of users. Twitter has made in-stream ad networks a strict no-no under its API terms. It will be interesting to see what specific violation it found in UberMedia's case, but so far it hasn't been revealed.

UPDATE: UberMedia chief Bill Gross has tweeted that his company will make Twitter's requested changes to UberTwitter and twidroyd, and they expect to have the apps "back up and running ASAP."

Download SquadTwitter suspends UberTwitter and Twidroyd for policy violations originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappsblackberrycontroversysocialnetworkingtwidroydtwitterubermediaubertwitterviolationsFri, 18 Feb 2011 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Queuenoodle warns you when Netflix streaming movies are about to expire]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/16/queuenoodle-warns-netflix-streaming-movies-expire/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/16/queuenoodle-warns-netflix-streaming-movies-expire/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/16/queuenoodle-warns-netflix-streaming-movies-expire/#comments Streaming movies on Netflix is convenient, but the films aren't available forever. If you've got a packed Watch Instantly queue and you need to make sure you watch your flicks before they expire, subscribe to Queuenoodle, a new Twitter feed from Twitter's Robin Sloan. It posts alerts between a day and a week before a movie expires, so you don't miss it. Heck, maybe you'll see a movie that you didn't even know you could watch instantly.

Without Queuenoodle, I would never have known that today is my last chance to watch Mortal Kombat on Netflix! This is a dead simple, really useful idea that Netflix probably should have implemented on its own a long time ago.

Download SquadQueuenoodle warns you when Netflix streaming movies are about to expire originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expirationmoviesnetflixqueuenoodlestreamingtwittervideoWed, 16 Feb 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter overhauls its Translation Center, adds Turkish, Indonesian and Russian]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/15/twitter-overhauls-its-translation-center-adds-turkish-indonesi/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/15/twitter-overhauls-its-translation-center-adds-turkish-indonesi/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/15/twitter-overhauls-its-translation-center-adds-turkish-indonesi/#comments First launched in 2009, Twitter has just overhauled its 'gameified' Translation Center. It now has a very shiny UI, and voting on suggested translations or adding your own is easier than ever.

Translating phrases earns you experience points, and ultimately yields level-ups. You don't actually get anything by leveling up -- you just end up at the top of a feel-good leader board. If you're an active translator, though, you do get a badge on your profile page -- and as we all know, except for having wheelbarrows of cash, badges are the single most important metric of social status.

To get started, head on over to the Twitter Translation Center and connect it to your Twitter account. You can choose from a bunch of languages, and your translation services aren't limited to just the Twitter.com website: you can translate the mobile website and iPhone and Android apps, too.

Download SquadTwitter overhauls its Translation Center, adds Turkish, Indonesian and Russian originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appscrowd sourcingCrowdSourcingsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtranslationtwittertwitter translation centerTwitterTranslationCenterwebTue, 15 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Echofon 4 hits iPhone and iPad, adds user streams and media viewer]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/11/echofon-4-hits-iphone-and-ipad-with-user-streams-and-media-view/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/11/echofon-4-hits-iphone-and-ipad-with-user-streams-and-media-view/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/11/echofon-4-hits-iphone-and-ipad-with-user-streams-and-media-view/#commentsEchofon is one of the most popular third-party Twitter clients for iOS devices -- and it just got a big update, mere weeks after being acquired by UberMedia. Echofon 4 adds some valuable new features, including real-time tweets (via Twitter's user streams API) and inline photo and video previews.

Echofon 4 also has global push notifications, so users who were sticking with the official Twitter for iPhone just for that feature can now give Echofon another shot. The ability to mute users is another useful addition, and it's something Twitter for iPhone still doesn't offer.

Echofon comes in ad-supported and paid flavors, and the paid version offers syncing across Echofon's various platforms (iPhone, iPad and desktop).

Gallery: Echofon 4 for iPhone and iPad Screenshots

Download SquadEchofon 4 hits iPhone and iPad, adds user streams and media viewer originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsechofonechofon 4Echofon4iosipadiphonetwitterubermediauser streamsUserStreamsFri, 11 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for Android hands on: Voyeur mode and a sleeker interface await you]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/10/twitter-for-android-hands-on-voyeur-mode-and-a-sleeker-interface/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/10/twitter-for-android-hands-on-voyeur-mode-and-a-sleeker-interface/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/10/twitter-for-android-hands-on-voyeur-mode-and-a-sleeker-interface/#comments Twitter's official Android app got a pretty hefty update today, which brought some added features along with a complete makeover. All in all, the update is a positive move for Twitter, since it brings the app into a more current style of design while giving Twitter Search a bit more prominence and functionality.

For one, the app now bears a striking resemblance to Twitter for Mac, which makes it one of the most visually polished apps to be found on Android today (sorry folks, I love Android too, but the apps tend to be a bit on the fugly side). Not only is it a surprisingly good look for the app, but the minimalistic style does tend to make things easier on smaller touchscreens. Tablets may be the future, but most of us use phones when it comes to tweeting on the go, after all.

Aside from the new look, the first thing you may notice is that the app's start page now puts functionality ahead of fluffy animated clouds. It's now a bit more like Twitter.com, in that users don't have to log into the service to use its search functionality (immediately dubbed "voyeur mode").

On that note, Twitter Search has also been revamped, making it much quicker to find what you're looking for on the fly. Depending on what you type, intelligent options are made available to make the search a general one, a username search, a search by proximity to your location, or to simply go directly to the profile of an @name (if what you entered is a term that matches a username).

Gallery: Twitter for Android - Updated (Feb. 2011)

Intuitive searchClean resultsWhat's new?

Continue reading Twitter for Android hands on: Voyeur mode and a sleeker interface await you

Download SquadTwitter for Android hands on: Voyeur mode and a sleeker interface await you originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidappscellphoneshands-onhandsonmobilesocialnetworkingtweettwittertwitter for androidTwitterForAndroidThu, 10 Feb 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitpic introduces video support, lets you tweet your vids]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/09/twitpic-introduces-video-support-lets-you-tweet-your-vids/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/09/twitpic-introduces-video-support-lets-you-tweet-your-vids/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/09/twitpic-introduces-video-support-lets-you-tweet-your-vids/#commentstwitpic video Twitpic, the Twitter photo-posting service, has now extended its reach into photos that move, also known as "video". Users will now be able to upload quick videos shot on the move, and share them directly with Twitter.

Twitter's Web interface currently only shows a thumbnail of the video, but Twitpic says it's working on embedding the actual video into Twitter. Right now it basically looks like a link, not much different than posting a simple YouTube link.

One difference between Twitpic video support and plain old YouTube however, is that users are able to e-mail their videos in, rather than just uploading them from the site. Once applications using Twitpic start integrating this new functionality, users will be able to upload video right from within their favorite Twitter client, on the go.

While this sort of functionality has been attempted before by 12seconds, we can only hope Twitpic's video space endeavor meets with better luck.

Download SquadTwitpic introduces video support, lets you tweet your vids originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 05:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsTwitpicTwittervideowebWed, 09 Feb 2011 05:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Weet Twitter client goes 1.0, hits Mac App Store]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/02/weet-twitter-client-goes-1-0-hits-mac-app-store/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/02/weet-twitter-client-goes-1-0-hits-mac-app-store/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/02/weet-twitter-client-goes-1-0-hits-mac-app-store/#commentsIf you don't love the official Twitter for Mac app and you've got 5 bucks to spend on an alternative, you'll be glad to see that Weet for Mac has reached version 1.0 and landed in the Mac App Store. Weet is one of the best Twitter apps on the iPhone, and the desktop version stacks up pretty well, too.

It doesn't have the flashy UI of Twitter's official client, but it's got other advantages. Weet doesn't force you to shorten links with Twitter's t.co URL shortener, for one thing. It also allows you to mute specific usernames and block specific keywords, and has an option to hide the Weet window when the app loses focus. It even supports "old style" retweeting, and automatically inserts an "RT" for you.

Bottom line: Weet provides a solid set of features without becoming cluttered like some kitchen-sink Twitter apps, but whether it beats Twitter for Mac is still a matter of personal preference.

Download SquadWeet Twitter client goes 1.0, hits Mac App Store originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsmacmac app storeMacAppStoreosxtwitterweetWed, 02 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Google, Twitter and SayNow setup Speak2Tweet, voicemail to Twitter for offline Egyptians]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/01/google-twitter-and-saynow-setup-speak2tweet-voicemail-to-twitt/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/01/google-twitter-and-saynow-setup-speak2tweet-voicemail-to-twitt/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/02/01/google-twitter-and-saynow-setup-speak2tweet-voicemail-to-twitt/#commentsSpeak to tweetNow that Egypt's last ISP is offline to the public, how are people in the troubled country going to get the word out about what's happening? Well Google, its recent acquisition SayNow, and Twitter have partnered to provide a 'speak-to-tweet' service that will link voice messages to tweets and attach the hashtag #egypt, or the country of origin for the call if calling from somewhere else. Anyone can tweet out a voice message by calling +16504194196, +390662207294 or +97316199855 and leaving a message without the need for an Internet connection.

People can listen to the voice messages by viewing the @speak2tweet account, which as of going to press shows 372 tweets and 5,474 followers. Each tweet comes with a voice message attached that links to the SayNow site for playback. Hats off to Google, SayNow and Twitter for providing a way for Egyptians to get the word out, and let us hope for a swift and peaceful end to the troubles.

Download SquadGoogle, Twitter and SayNow setup Speak2Tweet, voicemail to Twitter for offline Egyptians originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 04:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EgyptgoogleSayNowsocial networkingSocialNetworkingSpeak2TweettwitterwebTue, 01 Feb 2011 04:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Connections replace 'Followed By' and 'You Both Follow']]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/27/twitter-connections-replace-followed-by-and-you-both-follow/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/27/twitter-connections-replace-followed-by-and-you-both-follow/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/27/twitter-connections-replace-followed-by-and-you-both-follow/#comments Twitter is ditching the 'Followed By' and 'You Both Follow' features for a combined feature called Connections. This new area shows up on each user's profile, right below their following/followers numbers, and tells you which connections you have in common with that user. It's still divided into 'followed by' and 'you both follow' sections, they've just been consolidated into one area of the profile.

Connections still has a long way to go before it catches up with Facebook's totally transparent social graph. Although you can now click 'more' to see your complete list of connections to another Twitter user, Twitter still hasn't added simple, important things like the total number of follows/followers you have in common with a given user. Sure, Facebook doesn't have to deal with one-way relationships, but Twitter's more complex social graph would be even more interesting than Facebook's if the data were easier to see.

Download SquadTwitter Connections replace 'Followed By' and 'You Both Follow' originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>connectionsfollowersfollowingsocial graphSocialGraphSocialNetworkingtwitterWebThu, 27 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Proxlet for Chrome mutes Twitter users, blocks apps, and filters hashtags]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/26/proxlet-for-chrome-mutes-twitter-users-blocks-apps-and-filters/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/26/proxlet-for-chrome-mutes-twitter-users-blocks-apps-and-filters/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/26/proxlet-for-chrome-mutes-twitter-users-blocks-apps-and-filters/#commentsIf you want more control over your Twitter stream, check out the Proxlet Chrome extension. Proxlet lets you easily mute any user (temporarily or forever), block any Twitter app, or filter out any hashtag. The most obvious use for Proxlet is filtering out app spam from the likes of Foursquare and Paper.li, but it's also great if your friends are tweeting from a conference you don't like or they suddenly pick up a hashtag meme that doesn't interest you.

The really fantastic thing about Proxlet is that it also works with some desktop and mobile apps, including TweetDeck Desktop, Twidroyd and Twitter for iPhone. The idea is so slick that it might not be a bad idea for Twitter to look at acquiring Proxlet or implementing some of these filters themselves. Sure, Twitter is supposed to be simple, but new use cases -- like app spam -- need new user tools, and Proxlet is one of the best new tools you can add to your arsenal.

Download SquadProxlet for Chrome mutes Twitter users, blocks apps, and filters hashtags originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>add-onbrowser extensionsBrowserExtensionschromeextensionfiltersgoogle chromeGoogleChromemuteproxlettwitterwebWed, 26 Jan 2011 15:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Tuesday: Twitter blocked in Egypt, PostUp buys UberTwitter, Birdsong for WP7 launches]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/25/twitter-tuesday-twitter-blocked-in-egypt-postup-buys-ubertwitt/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/25/twitter-tuesday-twitter-blocked-in-egypt-postup-buys-ubertwitt/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/25/twitter-tuesday-twitter-blocked-in-egypt-postup-buys-ubertwitt/#comments It's Tuesday again, which means it's time to bring you the latest Twitter news and apps. First up this week is the Egyptian government's efforts to block Twitter after anti-government protestors used social media to organize a huge protest in Cairo today. Photos and updates from the protest have been going out under hashtags including #jan25, #egyrevolt and #egypt.

The block seems to be affecting users on the ground, though. A tweet from Vodafone Egypt confirms that Twitter access has been blocked in Egypt, but not by Vodafone. "It's a problem all over Egypt and we are waiting for a solution," says the tweet. Not every social website is blocked, though, apparently: UStream has a live feed of the protests from downtown Cairo.

Of course, if Twitter is considered dangerous enough to block, that might be evidence for Biz Stone's thesis that it can be used as a tool for activism, protest, or even revolution.

Continue reading Twitter Tuesday: Twitter blocked in Egypt, PostUp buys UberTwitter, Birdsong for WP7 launches

Download SquadTwitter Tuesday: Twitter blocked in Egypt, PostUp buys UberTwitter, Birdsong for WP7 launches originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsbirdsongegyptsocialnetworkingtwittertwitter tuesdayTwitterTuesdayubertwitterTue, 25 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter website, and iPhone and Android apps, now available in Korean]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/19/twitter-website-and-iphone-and-android-apps-now-available-in-korean/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/19/twitter-website-and-iphone-and-android-apps-now-available-in-korean/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/19/twitter-website-and-iphone-and-android-apps-now-available-in-korean/#commentsTwitter in Korean
Twitter has announced that its properties on the Web, the mobile Web, iOS and Android are all now usable in Korean. It's the seventh international language that Twitter supports, and there are plans to add more languages later this year. The announcement, written in Korean, contained one other juicy tidbit: over the past year, Twitter use in South Korea has increased tenfold.

Twitter has also created a special Suggested User List that, when viewed from an account that has its language set to Korean, will be populated only with Korean users. There's also a new 'Top Tweets' account set up in Korean (see above), as well as an official account for Twitter in Korean. Furthermore, Twitter has announced that it's now available in South Korea via SMS on the LG U+ network.

Twitter's apps for iOS and Android have both received updates to incorporate support for Korean. You can download Twitter for iOS from the iTunes App Store, and Twitter for Android from AppBrain.

Download SquadTwitter website, and iPhone and Android apps, now available in Korean originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidIOSkoreanlanguagelocalizationsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwitterWebWed, 19 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Tuesday: Twitter for Mac lets you tweet from anywhere in OS X, Tunisian revolution gets tweeted]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/18/twitter-tuesday-twitter-for-mac-lets-you-tweet-from-anywhere-in/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/18/twitter-tuesday-twitter-for-mac-lets-you-tweet-from-anywhere-in/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/18/twitter-tuesday-twitter-for-mac-lets-you-tweet-from-anywhere-in/#comments Hey, Twitter fans! You may remember a debate that sprung up last year about whether Twitter makes an effective tool for social change and grassroots organizing. Well-known author and New Yorker columnist Malcolm Gladwell said no, and Twitter founder Biz Stone wrote a rebuttal defending the service's usefulness to activists.

Well, at least one revolution has now been tweeted. Tunisia, the northernmost country in Africa, has forced out its president and called for a new election. The "Jasmine Revolution," as some are calling it, was tracked live around the world on Twitter. It's never been this easy to follow the events and voices of a large-scale political protest without a news station acting as a middleman. I'd say that's one point to Twitter for changing the way we experience world events.

On the other hand, as Martin Bryant points out at The Next Web Middle East, the real-time nature of Twitter makes it impossible to read everything when the tweets are coming as fast as furious as they were on #sidibouzid, the Tunisian protest hashtag. Also, popular hashtags attract spammers, further muddying the waters. Twitter's speed is a double-edged sword at the moment, so it's probably good that we still have traditional media around to filter the massive firehose of news tweets until there's a smarter user-controlled filtering system.

Continue reading Twitter Tuesday: Twitter for Mac lets you tweet from anywhere in OS X, Tunisian revolution gets tweeted

Download SquadTwitter Tuesday: Twitter for Mac lets you tweet from anywhere in OS X, Tunisian revolution gets tweeted originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnsfeaturesSocialNetworkingtwittertwitter tuesdayTwitterTuesdayTue, 18 Jan 2011 16:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for Mac -- right-click tweet from anywhere in OS X]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/17/twitter-for-mac-right-click-tweet-from-anywhere-in-os-x/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/17/twitter-for-mac-right-click-tweet-from-anywhere-in-os-x/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/17/twitter-for-mac-right-click-tweet-from-anywhere-in-os-x/#commentsTweet from anywhere Twitter for Mac, aka Tweetie 2, has seen quite a lot of praise since its birth unto the Mac App Store. It takes a slick, minimalist approach to the Twitter client paradigm, something other big players like Tweetdeck eschew for greater on-screen functionality. So it comes as no real surprise that it took a couple of weeks, for perhaps one of the most useful features of Twitter for Mac, to actually surface -- Tweet from anywhere.

Twitter for Mac uses the contextual menu services that are built into OS X. Simply highlight a section of text -- a word, phrase, or even a URL -- and right-click. Select 'Tweet' and the selection will appear in a new Tweet ready to fire off to your adoring followers. Unfortunately highlighting a hyperlink won't send the hyperlink URL to a new tweet, just the text. Nor does it work with image selections, but that's no real surprise.

Brilliantly simple, minimalist, and most importantly useful. Give it a try if you're running Twitter for Mac and if you're having problems, head on over to MacStories for some troubleshooting advice.

Download SquadTwitter for Mac -- right-click tweet from anywhere in OS X originally appeared on Download Squad on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 04:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsdesktopsMacOS XOsXsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwitterMon, 17 Jan 2011 04:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for Mac update locks down secret backdoor, goes blue]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/12/twitter-for-mac-update-locks-down-secret-backdoor-goes-blue/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/12/twitter-for-mac-update-locks-down-secret-backdoor-goes-blue/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/12/twitter-for-mac-update-locks-down-secret-backdoor-goes-blue/#commentsTwitter for Mac has received an update -- which is now live in the Mac App Store. The updated version brings a new blue icon in place of the initial release's black one. The other noteworthy change is that the secret menu that was only available for MacHeist customers has now been removed.

Hitting a specific key combination would unlock that menu, as well as access to exclusive beta updates. These had been promised by Loren Brichter, the developer of Tweetie for Mac, before his company was acquired by Twitter and the app was re-launched as Twitter for Mac. Somehow someone managed to sneak these features into Twitter for Mac unnoticed. However, the 'backdoor' was apparently in violation of Apple's developer guidelines -- which is probably why it got removed in the end.

Those who have already unlocked the secret stuff will get to keep it, but new downloads of the app don't have access to it anymore.

Download Twitter for Mac from the Apple Mac App Store

Download SquadTwitter for Mac update locks down secret backdoor, goes blue originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsMacOSXsocial networkingSocialNetworkingsuper secretSuperSecrettweetieTweetie 2Tweetie2twittertwitter for macTwitterForMacWed, 12 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Tuesday: WikiLeaks Twitter accounts subpoenaed by US government]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/11/twitter-tuesday-wikileaks-twitter-accounts-subpoenaed-by-us-gov/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/11/twitter-tuesday-wikileaks-twitter-accounts-subpoenaed-by-us-gov/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/11/twitter-tuesday-wikileaks-twitter-accounts-subpoenaed-by-us-gov/#comments Twitter Tuesday took last week off to recover from New Year's celebrations and report on the launch of Twitter for Mac in Apple's Mac App Store, but we're back on the tweet beat this week with the latest news and apps, starting with the interesting case of the U.S. government ordering Twitter to disclose user data.

The United States Department of Justice has secured a court order that requires Twitter to turn over a huge amount of information related to WikiLeaks' Twitter account and the accounts of various WikiLeaks members and supporters. The order asks for IP addresses and account registration info, but it also demands some things a free service like Twitter is unlikely to have, including addresses and credit card data.

Even more significant than the order itself was Twitter's reaction. Twitter actually went to court to have the government's requests unsealed, giving the targets of the investigation 10 days to respond. That shows Twitter will take action to protect its users' data, which is good news for anyone with a Twitter account, even those of us who aren't likely targets for government subpoenas. As Ryan Singel at Wired News put it, "Twitter beta-tested a spine," and that spine is a feature that benefits every one of the service's users.

Continue reading Twitter Tuesday: WikiLeaks Twitter accounts subpoenaed by US government

Download SquadTwitter Tuesday: WikiLeaks Twitter accounts subpoenaed by US government originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnsSocialNetworkingtwittertwitter place findertwitter tuesdayTwitterPlaceFinderTwitterTuesdaywikileaksTue, 11 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for Mac's secret menu, only available to MacHeist customers]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/twitter-for-macs-secret-menu-only-available-to-macheist-custom/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/twitter-for-macs-secret-menu-only-available-to-macheist-custom/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/twitter-for-macs-secret-menu-only-available-to-macheist-custom/#commentsWhen Mac app bundlers MacHeist included Tweetie for Mac in their NanoBundle2 last year, they promised purchasers early beta access to Tweetie 2. That promise got complicated when Twitter acquired Tweetie and hired its developer, Loren Brichter, to work on the official Twitter iPhone app. Tweetie for Mac seemed to be dead.

Well, now that Tweetie has been reborn as the official Twitter for Mac app, Brichter hasn't forgotten about the MacHeist customers. Anyone who bought NanoBundle2 can click on Twitter for Mac's help menu and hold down CTRL-Option-Cmd to access a super secret preferences menu and get exclusive beta updates.

The Super Secret preferences tab includes options like an "avatar timeline depreater" that stops Twitter from loading the same avatar over and over on a user profile timeline, a "type anywhere" setting for sending new tweets, and a link color picker. There's also a tantalizing "check back for pre-release info" message at the bottom of the prefs screen. Ooh!

This is great news for MacHeist customers, but there's a possibility that Apple won't take kindly to secret features slipping into a Mac App Store app.

Download SquadTwitter for Mac's secret menu, only available to MacHeist customers originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appshiddenloren brichterLorenBrichterosxpreferencessecretsuper secretSuperSecrettweetietwitterFri, 07 Jan 2011 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for Windows isn't happening -- yet]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/twitter-for-windows-isnt-happening-yet/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/twitter-for-windows-isnt-happening-yet/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/twitter-for-windows-isnt-happening-yet/#commentsTwitter logoYesterday saw the official introduction of the Mac App Store, and one of the most prominent apps available at launch was Twitter for Mac. In effect, this is the rebranded, long-awaited Tweetie 2 for Mac. With Twitter acquiring atebits, the company behind Tweetie, while being primarily interested in their iPhone app (which has since transformed into Twitter for iPhone), it was unclear whether development of the Mac app would continue. But, it seems, pressured by user requests, it did, and now Twitter has an official app for the Mac.

Which, naturally, begs the question: what about Windows? That's exactly what TechCrunch's MG Siegler asked the company. And the answer he got from a Twitter spokesperson was "For now, we only have the Mac version. We don't have plans for a PC version -- though we never say never".

Translation? The atebits/Tweetie acquisition really wasn't about the Mac client, but since users requested it, there now is Twitter for Mac. Now that there's a Mac app, if enough users want it, a native Windows app may follow -- after all, it is the biggest desktop platform.

Since people clearly do want an official Twitter client for Windows, and probably will ask for it in no uncertain terms, it's safe to say that at this point, it's only a matter of time.

Download SquadTwitter for Windows isn't happening -- yet originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appssocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwittertwitter for mactwitter for windowsTwitterForMacTwitterForWindowswindowsFri, 07 Jan 2011 13:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Japan breaks Twitter record with 6,939 tweets per second over New Year]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/japan-breaks-twitter-record-with-6-939-tweets-per-second-over-ne/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/japan-breaks-twitter-record-with-6-939-tweets-per-second-over-ne/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/07/japan-breaks-twitter-record-with-6-939-tweets-per-second-over-ne/#commentsJapanese New Year TweetsOver the New Year celebrations, Japan broke a Twitter record just four seconds after midnight on the 1st of January 2011, with 6,939 tweets per second (TPS). That's more than double the previous record of 3,283TPS, also set by the Japanese nation in their defeat of Denmark in last year's World Cup. Japan a country of over 127 million people, the tenth largest population in the world, likes to share the love over the New Year with calls and messages to family and friends, often pushing their mobile networks to breaking point. It seems this year, Twitter took part of that strain.

Of course Japan wasn't the only country revealing in the New Year celebrations on Twitter. As the midnight hour passed in each timezone, Twitter saw a spike in tweets, with the East coast of the US alone accounting for more than 3,000TPS. Hit the break for Twitter's time-lapse video visualization of all the New Year tweeting action.

Continue reading Japan breaks Twitter record with 6,939 tweets per second over New Year

Download SquadJapan breaks Twitter record with 6,939 tweets per second over New Year originally appeared on Download Squad on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 03:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>JapanNew YearNewYearsocial networkingSocialNetworkingtwitterFri, 07 Jan 2011 03:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter for Mac is a slick, fast new update to Tweetie]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/06/twitter-for-mac-is-a-slick-fast-new-update-to-tweetie/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/06/twitter-for-mac-is-a-slick-fast-new-update-to-tweetie/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/06/twitter-for-mac-is-a-slick-fast-new-update-to-tweetie/#comments The long awaited Tweetie 2 for Mac has finally launched, with a new name: it's now Twitter for Mac. When Twitter bought Tweetie, they announced that developer Loren Brichter would be turning the iPhone version into an official Twitter for iPhone, but the Mac version of Tweetie wasn't getting Twitter branding -- and effective became a hobby for Loren.

Twitter has an official blog post explaining how they reached the decision to release an official Twitter app for Mac, and it has to do with the October "Hack Week" they gave their employees to work on new projects. Loren spent that week polishing up his idea for Tweetie 2, and the Twitter brass loved it so much that it was anointed an official Twitter client.

Gallery: Twitter for Mac

Continue reading Twitter for Mac is a slick, fast new update to Tweetie

Download SquadTwitter for Mac is a slick, fast new update to Tweetie originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsloren brichterLorenBrichterosxreviewstweetietwittertwitter for macTwitterForMacThu, 06 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Official Twitter Mac app (Tweetie 2) launching with Mac App Store today]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/06/official-twitter-mac-app-tweetie-2-launching-with-mac-app-stor/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/06/official-twitter-mac-app-tweetie-2-launching-with-mac-app-stor/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/06/official-twitter-mac-app-tweetie-2-launching-with-mac-app-stor/#commentsTweetie 2 It's been a long time coming, but the wait for the official Twitter app, aka Tweetie 2, for OS X will soon be over. Razoranfly got wind that the much delayed app will be launching in the Mac App Store later today, boasting official retweet support, realtime updates, and drag-and-drop tweet management.

Short of the screenshot above, other details are a little thin on the ground, but you shouldn't have to wait too much longer to be able to get your paws on it.

Download SquadOfficial Twitter Mac app (Tweetie 2) launching with Mac App Store today originally appeared on Download Squad on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appsMac App StoreMacAppStoreOSXsocial networkingSocialNetworkingTweetie 2Tweetie2twitterThu, 06 Jan 2011 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Thunderbird gets Twitter support via TweeQuilla proof-of-concept add-on]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/05/thunderbird-gets-twitter-support-via-tweequilla-proof-of-concept/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/05/thunderbird-gets-twitter-support-via-tweequilla-proof-of-concept/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/01/05/thunderbird-gets-twitter-support-via-tweequilla-proof-of-concept/#commentsTweeQuilla Use Thunderbird? Well, now you can use it with Twitter, too! At least if you're using it on Windows that is.

The new add-on is called TweeQuilla, and it's just at version 0.1. TweeQuilla shows the tweets as messages in the message pane, and if a tweet includes a URL, it uses the preview pane to show that URL.

It's a clever add-on since it's actually written in JavaScript, and Thunderbird was never meant to be extended using JavaScript. The way it accomplishes its voodoo is via a binary layer, which is sadly Windows-specific at this point.

However, the developer is looking for cohorts to help him bring the project to Linux and OS X as well. Still, if you're a Windows Thunderbird user, this might help push your aging 'bird into the realm of social networking.

Download SquadThunderbird gets Twitter support via TweeQuilla proof-of-concept add-on originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developere-mailemailmozillasocialnetworkingthunderbirdTwitterWed, 05 Jan 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Tuesday - Back up your tweets with Tweetstream and see Twitter friends' other profiles with Hoverme]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/28/twitter-tuesday-back-up-your-tweets-with-tweetstream-and-see-t/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/28/twitter-tuesday-back-up-your-tweets-with-tweetstream-and-see-t/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/28/twitter-tuesday-back-up-your-tweets-with-tweetstream-and-see-t/#comments Hey, Twitter fans! It's almost 2011, and we're nearing the end of a year where Twitter users posted an astounding 25 billion tweets. That's an awful lot of data to protect, so you might want to start off the new year by archiving your own tweets with Tweetstream. Tweetstream starts by backing up your past 3,200 tweets (the maximum Twitter's API will allow), and then automatically syncing as you tweet more. Tweetstream is entirely searchable, as opposed to Twitter's built-in search function, which only goes back two weeks -- and it even saves your friends, followers, and lists.

Tweetstream is free for up to 3 accounts and 500mb of storage (that's a lot of tweets!), but doesn't include the search function. Premium accounts -- on sale for $5 a year right now -- give you 5GB of storage. A premium account will also save your tweeted photos, sync unlimited accounts daily, and provide searching. Both free and premium accounts can be set to back up to your own FTP server or Amazon S3 account. If you're concerned about preserving your twitter memories from 2010, you'd be doing yourself a favor by using Tweetstream or a similar service (like BackupMyTweets or the Backupify-powered TweetBackup).

Continue reading Twitter Tuesday - Back up your tweets with Tweetstream and see Twitter friends' other profiles with Hoverme

Download SquadTwitter Tuesday - Back up your tweets with Tweetstream and see Twitter friends' other profiles with Hoverme originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>columnssocialnetworkingtweetstreamtwittertwitter tuesdayTwitterTuesdaywebTue, 28 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[TweeSP generates an Amazon Christmas gift list for any Twitter user]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/tweesp-generates-an-amazon-christmas-gift-list-for-any-twitter-u/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/tweesp-generates-an-amazon-christmas-gift-list-for-any-twitter-u/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/tweesp-generates-an-amazon-christmas-gift-list-for-any-twitter-u/#comments Don't know what to get your favorite Twitter-using friend for Christmas this year? TweeSP may be able to help. It's a site that reads any user's recent tweets and uses them to make some guesses at a gift list of a dozen or so items, using data from Amazon.com. The TweeSP site doesn't reveal the algorithm behind the lists, just chalks it up to magic and meditation.

How accurate is TweeSp? Well, it took my recents tweets and came up with the Star Wars Trilogy on DVD (yes!), a sack of six baseballs (weird, but cool) and a book of sex toy tricks (huh?!). In other words, the results were mixed. Over half the items were hits, though, and anyone who knows you well enough to buy presents for you will probably be able to figure out which recommendations are way off.

By the way, clicking through to Amazon from TweeSP will activate TweeSP's affiliate code, and they'll donate any affiliate money they make to Toys for Tots. So, even if you're just going about your regular business on Amazon, it doesn't cost you anything to hit TweeSP first and let them give the commission to a kids' charity.

Download SquadTweeSP generates an Amazon Christmas gift list for any Twitter user originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonchristmaschristmas shoppingChristmasShoppinggiftsholidayrecommendationstweesptwitterWed, 22 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Essential iPhone apps: Guide to the best iOS gifts for the holidays]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/essential-iphone-apps-guide-to-the-best-ios-gifts-for-the-holidays/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/essential-iphone-apps-guide-to-the-best-ios-gifts-for-the-holidays/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/22/essential-iphone-apps-guide-to-the-best-ios-gifts-for-the-holidays/#commentsEssential iPhone Apps Santa's just hand-delivered you a brand-spanking new iPhone or iPod touch. You've ripped the wrapping paper off, charged it, and have been playing with it non-stop, but your home screen looks a bit bare. Well look no further: DLS has your back! We love all kinds of apps, but here are our essential, must-download apps for your new and shiny iDevice.

Continue reading Essential iPhone apps: Guide to the best iOS gifts for the holidays

Download SquadEssential iPhone apps: Guide to the best iOS gifts for the holidays originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmazonAppleappsAppShopperBeejiveIMcellphonesDictionary.comDropboxeBayFacebookfeaturesFreeAppADayGooglehggiBooksIMDbInstagramInstapaperiOSiPhoneiPod touchIpodTouchKindleproductivityReederSkypeTwitterutilitiesWikipediaWed, 22 Dec 2010 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Twitter Tuesday: Twitter acquires Fluther team, Facebook vs. Twitter gets graphed]]>http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/21/twitter-tuesday-fluther-facebook-infographic/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/21/twitter-tuesday-fluther-facebook-infographic/http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/12/21/twitter-tuesday-fluther-facebook-infographic/#commentstwitter tuesday banner
Welcome to another Twitter Tuesday, where we're just in time to talk about Twitter's latest interesting acquisition. It's not a company or an app; it's the team at Fluther! This will be the first time a lot of people have heard of Fluther, so here's the scoop: Fluther is a site that sounds Twitter-related, but it's actually a question-and-answer community along the lines of Quora. Twitter's not buying the service or shutting it down, just snapping up the smart people behind the site, including co-founders Ben Finkel and Andrew McClain.

Fluther's blog says the team is leaving to become part of the "the next stage of Twitter's growth," but it's tricky to speculate about what that might be. Twitter already functions as a decent Q&A service on its own, and could simply have bought Fluther outright if it wanted something like that. We know analytics and new kinds of ads are coming to Twitter, but Fluther's founders and engineers will probably be cooking up something else entirely, and it will be interesting to see what it turns out to be.

As an interesting side note, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone invested in Fluther back in 2009, so the Fluther team has probably been on Twitter's radar for some time now.

Continue reading Twitter Tuesday: Twitter acquires Fluther team, Facebook vs. Twitter gets graphed

Download SquadTwitter Tuesday: Twitter acquires Fluther team, Facebook vs. Twitter gets graphed originally appeared on Download Squad on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuresflutherplumesmartrSocialNetworkingtouiteurtwitterTue, 21 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST