Shevat, who was responsible for ensuring that independent software developers had the necessary tools to create third-party clients, emphasized the importance of these apps in shaping Twitter's identity. The statistic provided by Shevat highlights the potential short-sightedness of Twitter's decision to cut off these apps and underscores the significant impact they had on user engagement.
At the heart of the Texas Monthly profile was Tapbots, a company based in Texas that developed popular apps such as Tweetbot and Ivory for Mastodon. The article included insights from the cofounders at Tapbots, Mark Jardine and Paul Haddad, who shared their experiences and the impact of Twitter's policy changes on both their business and personal lives. When Tweetbot was discontinued, Tapbots quickly shifted its attention to Mastodon and promptly launched Ivory for Mastodon, a client designed for iPad and iPhone users. Demonstrating their commitment to expansion, Tapbots recently extended the availability of Ivory to Mac users, catering to a wider audience.
Twitter's decision to discontinue support for third-party apps came without any explanation, leaving small, independent developers like Jardine and Haddad in a state of uncertainty overnight. This move marked the end of a do-it-yourself tech ecosystem outside of Silicon Valley. Haddad expressed his initial anxiety, but also a sense of relief from the unpredictable nature of Twitter's changes under Elon Musk's ownership.
Mark Jardine, discussing the positive feedback received for Ivory's initial release, admitted that the app was launched without all the desired features. While user excitement is uplifting, Jardine acknowledged that the success of Ivory is crucial for their business, adding that the pressure is immense.
A representative of the company responsible for Twitterrific, The Iconfactory, Craig Hockenberry strongly denounced Twitter's decision, labeling it as a cowardly maneuver. Hockenberry expressed his deep disappointment with the lack of regard shown toward developers who contribute to the ecosystem.
The revelation that third-party apps like Tweetbot contributed to nearly 20 percent of user engagement on Twitter underscores the shortsightedness of cutting them off. These apps were primarily used by power users who generated substantial content for the platform. This content was then consumed and engaged with, including through advertisements, by users on Twitter's official app.
While it may not be expected for Twitter to allow free access to its API for third-party apps like Twitterrific and Tweetbot, this whole ordeal could've been approached in a better way. The abrupt cutoff without any prior warning left developers feeling burned by Elon Musk's decisions. As a result, there is little likelihood that most developers would take Twitter up on any future offer to reinstate third-party apps. Alternatives such as Mastodon and Bluesky are gaining momentum, providing users with viable options beyond Twitter's official app.
In conclusion, the Texas Monthly profile sheds light on the significant role third-party apps played in Twitter's ecosystem and the detrimental impact of cutting them off. The 17 percent engagement figure provided by Amir Shevat emphasizes the importance of these apps and raises questions about the decision-making process at Twitter. The repercussions of this move are felt not only by developers but also by power users who contributed valuable content to the platform. Whether Twitter will reconsider its stance in the future remains uncertain, but the consequences of this decision may have already driven developers and users toward alternative platforms.
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by Ayesha Hasnain via Digital Information World
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