HootSuite: A Review of Features in Version 1.1.1 for iPhone

May 3, 2010 - By Dieter Schweiss

HootSuite is a Twitter client similar to TweetDeck, in that you can view multiple columns of Twitter feeds at the same time. Unlike TweetDeck, which exists as a stand-alone program, HootSuite runs in a Web browser (see HootSuite.com). Like TweetDeck, HootSuite also has a Twitter application for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Recently, HootSuite updated this app to version 1.1.1, and this review will guide you through the new features and take you on a tour of existing features.

I have mentioned in previous reviews that I look for very specific features in a Twitter client, including (but not limited to): Twitter list management, follower management, gap detection, and an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI). HootSuite has many of those features, but does this application provide enough of them to satisfy this Twitter veteran?

HootSuite by HootSuite Media, Inc.

The HootSuite app offers Twitter and Facebook integration, but unlike its free TweetDeck counterpart, the highly-rated HootSuite application currently retails for $2.99 in the iTunes App Store.

Features in Version 1.1.1

• Support for geo-tagging of tweets.*
• Translation (multiple languages).*
• Twitter list integration.
• Scheduling of tweets.
• Analytical data synced with HootSuite Web account.
• Support for multiple accounts.
• Create searches and lists.
• Topic trending.
• Unread tweet indicator.
• Support for landscape mode when composing tweets.*
• “Pull down” to refresh feeds.*
• “Reply all” option to reply to all users mentioned in tweets.*
• “Bump” to follow other HootSuite app users.*
• Updated GUI.*

The features marked with asterisks, as well as the aforementioned integration with Facebook, are all new to version 1.1.1.

HootSuite Test Drive

I have tested both the TweetDeck program and HootSuite.com as alternatives to using Twitter.com for my tweeting. Of the two, I prefer to use HootSuite.com because TweetDeck can never seem to remember my account. Both TweetDeck and HootSuite.com offer columned viewing of your Twitter home feed and lists. You can create additional columns from your Twitter lists and from ad hoc searches.

Given the screen width of an iPhone (or in my case, an iPod Touch), the HootSuite app can only display one column at a time, which limits its effectiveness; however, the HootSuite app makes up for that by allowing you to swipe to change column views quickly. One thing to mention about those columns: although the app connects to your HootSuite.com account, it does not sync the tabs and the column views with the app exactly as you may have configured them at HootSuite.com. For example, my primary tab on HootSuite.com contains a list, but I did not see it in the app. Also, my tab of lists only showed five of the seven lists that I have configured, so there are limitations to what displays in the app. Admittedly, I may not fully understand this aspect of the application and the syncing.

The default Streams Screen (left image, below) gives you access to your Home Feed, Mentions, etc., as you would see on Twitter.com. It also gives you access to your HootSuite.com lists and searches, but unlike HootSuite.com where you can mix and match streams with lists and searches, the HootSuite app does not give you that option. It groups them separately, so you can access each group, but you cannot mix them. Here’s hoping that this ability becomes available in future updates.

HootSuite Streams Screen, Home Feed Screen, and Composition Screen

The Home Feed Screen (middle image, above) has the gap detection feature that I love to see in Twitter clients. When you click “More” (as shown in the middle image, above), any breaks in your timeline will fill in with missing tweets. The app tells you how many new tweets were loaded, but unfortunately, you have to scroll down to find the oldest of the newly loaded tweets. Not the ideal way to implement that, in my opinion.

The Composition Screen (right image, above) is pretty typical. You can reveal additional composition options (left image, below) by clicking the down arrow next to the counter for the number of characters remaining. This is where you can add photos and geo-tagging to your tweets. The Contacts option on this screen is somewhat disappointing, since it only shows your most recent contacts, not a searchable list, which would come in very handy for Twitter’s Follow Friday recommendations.

HootSuite Composition Options Screen, Tweet Scheduling Screen, and Pended Tweets Screen

Also available in the options are the Translate and Schedule features. You can translate your tweet to a whole slew of languages–everything from Arabic to Japanese to Yiddish–although it’s not perfect. As a German speaker, I tested the translation of a sample sentence to German, and it was close, but not 100% accurate; however, what translation software can claim that, right? It was good enough to get the point across.

HootSuite does not save drafts of tweets–for example, you might like to save your tweet if you get interrupted mid-tweet–but it does allow you to schedule when your tweets are sent, and for me, this Scheduling feature is one of the real gems of the HootSuite application. You can set the date and time of your tweet (middle image, above) before sending it. You can then manage your scheduled tweets on the Pended Tweets Screen (right image, above). I have not seen this feature offered in any other Twitter client.

The Stats Screen (left image, below) ties into your HootSuite.com account, but requires the use of the built-in ow.ly link shrinker. I use bit.ly to shrink my links, so this feature is not very useful for me, but it’s nice to have available if I make the switch.

HootSuite Stats Screen, Search Screen, and Settings Screen

The Search Screen (middle image, above) displays recent search results, as well as the current trending topics on Twitter. Its neighbor, the Settings Screen (right image, above), has very few actual settings available since most of your settings are synced with your HootSuite.com account.

Final Analysis

I was disappointed by the inability to modify lists or HootSuite.com searches from the HootSuite app, and I would like to see that addressed in a future update. However, the HootSuite app has several unique features that make it worth trying, especially the scheduling and stats (use of ow.ly required) features, which could come in handy if you use HootSuite.com as your primary Twitter client when you’re at your computer. Although I can see myself using this app on occasion to schedule specific tweets, I don’t foresee using it as one of the primary Twitter clients on my iPod Touch. Other similarly-priced applications, like Tweetie 2, TwitBird Pro, and Osfoora will fill that bill for now.

Overall, the HootSuite app is a good Twitter client. If you’re on the fence about it, there is also a lite version of the app available, and I recommend taking that for a spin before spending the money on the full-featured version.