Topsy Releases A Retweet Button That Updates In Real Time, Before Your Very Eyes.

I’m not sure how useful this is going to be but it’s certainly an interesting development in the war between Tweetmeme and Topsy for the “retweet” button crown.

For now, Tweetmeme is dominant but Topsy is still spitting out the features, seemingly refusing to give up. Topsy’s latest creation is a retweet button that updates in real time. So you’re there, reading a post and you’ll literally see the retweets flow in.I personally can’t see how this is of any benefit to anyone aside from maybe a over zealous author keen to see his post catch a fire. Above all else, as a reader I’d find a counter in the corner of my eye very distracting when reading an article.

Fortunately the feature is optional and you can see it in action here.

To learn more about how to turn on streaming in the JavaScript button, see the online documentation. To use streaming buttons in the WordPress version, upgrade to the new version 1.2.3, then activate the “Streaming” checkbox in your settings page.