Twitter Mobile
Posted on: July 8, 2009Author: Cali Lewis
31 comments so far
12 Days of Twitter :: Day 7
(What the heck are the 12 days of Twitter?)
We’ve talked about using Twitter with twitter.com and desktop applications. Today, let’s take a look at how you can continue the conversation even when you leave your desk and roam around the world.
SMS
To keep up with your Twitter friends on-the-go, you might want to take advantage of Twitter’s SMS Notifications, and receive a text message when someone you’re following tweets. The great thing about the service is that it’s an a la carte option. Even if you’re following 200 people, you can choose to only get text messages from 1, 7, or all 200 of those people. WARNING: Standard text messaging rates apply.
When you set up your Twitter account, go into Settings, then choose Devices. Here, you can set up your mobile phone number. It’ll give you a code and a number where you want text messages sent. Complete that step to verify your number and begin receiving messages.
If you’re already following a bunch of people, go to your following list at the top of your profile (click on “168 Following”). You’ll see each person you’re following listed with an icon beside their name that looks like a mobile phone. If it’s gray, you will NOT receive SMS alerts from that person. If it’s green, you WILL receive alerts. Click the icon to change the setting.
From here on out, when you follow someone new, you can specify whether you SMS notifications for that person immediately, rather than going back into your following list. Click on “Follow”, then choose “On” or “Off” under Device Updates.
Here are some helpful commands you can use from your mobile phone to turn updates on, off, or stop following someone.
Using SMS for Twitter Notifications
On = turns on ALL notifications on via SMS
On username = turns on notifications for just that user
Off = turns off ALL notifications on via SMS
Off username = turns off notifications for just that user
Stop/Quit = stops all phone notifications
Follow username = follows that user
Leave username = stops following that user
iPhone Apps
There are lots of iPhone apps to help keep you up to date when you can’t access your computer. Using an app means you can skip paying for SMS. There are two I love and use. Tweetie is $2.99. It’s simple and breaks up All Tweets, @Replies and DMs into tabs for easy viewing.
TweetDeck is free and syncs your Groups and Searches between your desktop app and your iPhone. The interface is beautiful, and breaks up your Tweets, @Replies and DMs into different pages rather than tabs.
UPDATE: Since I don’t use other phones, please feel free to comment below on your favorite non-iPhone mobile phone apps!
Read More
Introduction to the 12 Days of Twitter
Day 1: The Secret Code: What are all those initials and symbols?
Day 2: Use TweetDeck to Manage Conversations
Day 3: Share Your Funny Anecdotes While They’re Still Funny
Day 4: Follow Responsibly
Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters
Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find
Day 7: Twitter Mobile
Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter
Day 9: Mix it Up!
Day 10: If You’re Not a TweetDeck, You Might Be a Seesmic
Day 11: Twitter for Prizes and Profit
Day 12: Schedule Tweets in Advance
« Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find
Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter »
July 8th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
[...] Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Previous Post« Use TweetDeck to Manage Conversations Next PostFollow Responsibly [...]
July 8th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
[...] Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Previous Post« Twitter Porn and Spam? Next PostShare Your Funny Anecdotes While [...]
July 8th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
[...] Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Previous Post« 12 Days of Twitter Next PostTwitter Porn and Spam? [...]
July 8th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
In addition to the fine iPhone apps, there are also many fine applications for other mobile phones, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Android. Only having a BlackBerry, I can only speak to two I have used on that platform, TwitterBerry and ÜberTwitter. TwitterBerry seems to be the defacto Twitter client for BlackBerry, but I have found I like ÜberTwitter more. ÜberTwitter shows more of the tweets within the listing that TwitterBerry does, as well as inline pictures from Twitpic, etc.
As is with most technical issues, a quick search using your favorite search engine will show you several clients for your favorite mobile device.
July 8th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
Yes, thank you Perry! I actually meant to mention other mobile phones and open it up to comments and suggestions since I don’t use anything but the iPhone.
Anyone else have their favorites? Leave a comment!
July 8th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Come on Cali, “mobile” is not limited to iPhone. Remember those other devices out there with significant market share and users who watch GeekBrief?
I know you love all things Apple but there are other shiny happy toys out there capable of tweeting on the move.
July 8th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Wow! Typing that at the sane time as you made the point and you got in ahead – by two minutes!
July 8th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
LOL!
July 8th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Howdy Cali,
I like use ceTwit for Windows mobile. Displays tweets and has Ping.fm capability to update other social networks. Also has TwitPic.
July 8th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
[...] @CaliLewis: Twitter Tip Day 7 of the 12 Days of Twitter – http://calilewis.me/twitter-mobile Twitter Mobile 41 mins [...]
July 8th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
TinyTwitter is a nice java app for non-smart phones. Doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles like others, but gets the job done.
For the Nokia N810 (remember when they sponsored GeekBrief?) there’s Mauku (although I find the web interface better).
And I’ll add my vote for UberTwitter for the Blackberry.
July 8th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I use PockeTwit for my HTC Touch HD and I think it’s pretty good – supports Twitpic and the like.
July 8th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Hi Cali,
another nice tool for Windows Mobile is PockeTwit. It runs on WM5/6+, has a nice UI, and many features. Fine for keyless “Touch” devices. Using it on a HTC Topaz. Together with Opera Mobile it’s a good set. TinyTwitter as mentioned above is also quit nice.
And thanks for your advices!
July 9th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Hey Cali,
Have you tried Twitterrific for the iPhone? I haven’t tried Tweetie, but I think Twitterrific is better than Tweetdeck on the iPhone.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:59 am
Well I havent tried tweetie nor twitterrific but pretty happy with twittelator.
Simple and easy.
July 9th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Nice set of posts, I use a Nokia 5800 Xm a great phone, but a little short on apps, for Twitter I have tried 3 apps Snaptu, Fring and Stew. The best one on my opinion is the Snaptu, because it’s the one with better ui and gives other information, although the Fring works with messenger and skyke at the same time. Nice job Cali.
July 9th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Heya Cali,
Just a quick message to say that tweets60 is great for symbian phones, it’s free and can be got from http://www.tweets60.com
Thanks for Geekbrief, keep up the good work <3
July 9th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
[...] Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Previous Post« Look! Hayden Panettiere [...]
July 9th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Chalk up another one for PockeTwit for WinMo. I use it on my Palm 800w and I love it. Very simple interface and my favorite feature is the ability to “follow conversations”.
July 10th, 2009 at 4:20 am
I use Twidroid for Android which I am running on a G1. It is an excellent twitter client for the Android OS.
Love Geekbrief. You are awesome!!
July 10th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
[...] Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 9: Mix it Up! Previous Post« Twitter Mobile Next PostMix It Up! [...]
July 10th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
[...] Funny Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix it Up! Previous Post« Share [...]
July 10th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
[...] Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Previous Post« Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Next [...]
July 10th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
For mobile tweeting I use:
Tweets60 on Symbian.
Twikin on Windows Mobile.
Twidroid on Android.
…yeah, I switch between phones quite often
July 12th, 2009 at 6:27 am
I like Twidroid for my Android G1. It works very well. Since I use Tweetdeck for the PC, I would love to see a TweetDeck for Android though, allowing me to sync my desktop and the G1. Love the Blog.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:19 am
[...] They’re Still Funny Day 4: Follow Responsibly Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix it Up! Day 10: If You’re Not a [...]
July 12th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
[...] They’re Still Funny Day 4: Follow Responsibly Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix it Up! Day 10: If You’re Not a [...]
July 14th, 2009 at 2:48 am
The Twitter Mobile app created by the guys at Tricastmedia is definitely worth looking at. Probably has the best UI for a java twitter app includes most of the features expected with the Twitter service.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:55 am
[...] Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix It Up! Day 10: If You’re Not a [...]
July 14th, 2009 at 6:10 am
[...] Day 5: 3 Newbie Mistakes Made by New Tweeters Day 6: Use Twitter Search to Connect and Find Day 7: Twitter Mobile Day 8: Five Awesome Things You Can Do with Twitter Day 9: Mix It Up! Day 11: Twitter for Prizes and [...]
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:38 am
Interesting read. There is currently quite a lot of information around this subject around and about on the net and some are most defintely better than others. You have caught the detail here just right which makes for a refreshing change – thanks.