Twitter launches new UI for iOS, Android

Just in time for iOS 6, Twitter has launched a new GUI design for its mobile apps on both Apple and Android products. The new apps are significantly improved, with the majority of the changes made to the iPad version, according to SlashGear.

The changes to Twitter's graphical user interface design include new header photos and improved image sharing. However, the main changes are most noticeable on user profiles.

"Upload an all-new header photo on mobile apps for iPad, iPhone and Android or Twitter.com, and the same image will appear whenever anyone views your profile on the web or these apps," Sachin Agarwal, product manager of Twitter wrote on the company blog. "You can upload your header photo, which appears above your tweets, to express yourself instantly, anywhere."

The new features for the iPad are a bit more differentiating, however, drawing away from the previous version to what some have called an "oversized replica of the iPhone app." The app has improved navigation and functionality, making browsing and tweeting more pleasant, while also taking advantage of the new photo stream feature. Now, users can easily expand a tweet; view images, web content and video directly in the app and discover more relevant information easily through new navigation tools.

With the removal of the sliding panel UI in the application design for the iPad and inclusion of more web-like features, such as inline tweet writing and expansion, the app is likely to become far more popular on the tablet.

One notable change in the new version of the app is the abandonment of third-party support. Twitter has been leaving third-party developers behind in recent months with a push toward its own native services for photo sharing, but with this latest change users who prefer alternatives will have to utilize an entirely third-party app for their tweeting. While this may make the app function more smoothly, the change may drive users away.

Overall, the UI updates to the smartphone and iPad apps provide a much nicer user experience. Improved speed and functionality will help users navigate more easily and access information more quickly. And, with the new photo features, users will be able to share even more over the popular service.