Twitter apps get a new tweet composer with preview, richer notifications on Android, and wider timelines on iOS

Twitter today updated its native Android and iOS apps with a new tweet composer and changes specific to each platform. You can download the latest update now directly from Google Play and Apple’s App Store.

The biggest change in this release is the refreshed tweet composer. Twitter says it makes tweeting easier thanks to the preview function, especially when it comes to sharing photos.

Here’s what the company has to say about it:

• Photos: When you add a photo to your Tweet, you’ll see a full preview of your photo, not just the cropped version. You can now share a photo from your camera roll by simply tapping the photo icon on the bottom right corner of the tweet box.
• Accounts: When you compose a Tweet, you’ll see your avatar and username, giving you a better sense of how your tweet will actually appear. If you tweet from multiple accounts, it’s now easier to select the account you want to use by simply tapping on your avatar.
• Location: You can still add or remove your location from individual tweets right from the tweet box. Tagging your location is a handy way to save characters and provide context.

The Android app has received richer notifications, featuring details about your interactions on Twitter right in the Notifications Drawer. Just swipe the notification to expand and see more details:

Next up, Twitter has widened the timeline in all parts of the iOS app by removing the borders (just like on Android). Given how short tweets can be, the better use of horizontal space should also help save vertical space.

Last but not least, the Twitter apps will now notify you when a friend has joined the microblogging service. This can be particularly useful given that Twitter will let you join the service without using your real name.

Here’s the full Twitter 5.7 for iOS changelog:

• The new Tweet composer for iPhone makes sharing photos easy and lets you preview how your Tweets will look.
• Enjoy a more beautiful design on iPhone with wider timelines in all parts of the app.
• Receive a notification when a friend has joined Twitter.

Here’s the full Twitter 4.1.0 for Android changelog:

• The new Tweet composer makes it easier to share with quick access to your camera roll and clear previews of how your Tweets will appear.
• notifications now include details like avatars and indicate how people are interacting with you (reply, retweet, etc.) for devices running Android 4.0 and higher.
• Enjoy wider and taller timelines in all parts of the app including profiles, search, and Discover.
• Receive a notification when a friend has joined Twitter.

Overall, this is a small update but a notable one. Other mobile platforms have a lot of catching up to do with their Twitter apps.

Top Image Credit: Alberto Paroni

Disclosure: This article contains an affiliate link. While we only ever write about products we think deserve to be on the pages of our site, The Next Web may earn a small commission if you click through and buy the product in question. For more information, please see our Terms of Service.