Twitter just launched a fresh new interface. I'm still getting used to it, but my initial reaction is that it's a strong improvement for users of the Twitter.com interface (which is about 70% of the users currently).
Take a look at the video from Twitter:
Here's the inside scoop on the background and making of the video from Forbes.
What's different:
- The first thing you'll notice is that there is now a header bar that contains a streamlined dashboard: a search box, a link Home, a link to your Profile, and Messages (DMs). This is already different, in that messages have been separated from @ replies.
- Then, the "what's happening" (not "what are you doing?") section is footed with tabbed browsing options: Tweets, @Mentions (not Replies), Retweets, Searches and Lists. Note that the last three have dropdown menus that give the user options.
- For Retweets, it's Retweets by others, Retweets by you, and Your Tweets, retweeted. This is a handy way of discerning these various levels of retweets, making it easier to find what's meaningful.
- The Searches that used to inhabit the sidebar are now available in the dropdown.
- Similarly, Lists offer you a chance to see the aggregated lists you've created. My complaint is that it only allows you to see about 8 or 9 lists; for power users like me that have 20 lists, you have to click through to the list page, which is in the old interface.
Probably the coolest part though, is the ability to preview content directly from the link, without having to leave your page. You can view photos, videos and more by clicking on the little arrow in the tweet box:
In addition, you can see mini-previews of profiles - number of followers, tweets, bio, etc. - directly from this page by hovering over any user.
The full details are available directly from Twitter. Overall, this is vast improvement that puts Twitter.com on a more level playing field with some of the more sophisticated desktop and mobile apps.
What do you think?
UPDATE: Here's a handy guide on how to customize your background in the New Twitter
