iPhone Push Applications for Twitter

Since the launch of the iPhone 3.0′s push notifications, I’ve been looking forward to two use cases: instant messaging and Twitter notifications (DMs and mentions). While Beejive seemed to quickly nail down the instant messaging front, Twitter push notifications have been slow to follow.

Despite the technical issues involved in a Twitter push client (low Twitter API limits, server infrastructures, etc.), several independent developers have managed to come up with some creative solutions. I’ve been following the slow rollout of Twitter push apps and have come up with a list of applications that support Twitter push now. While the ideal solution will come from a major app like Tweetie, Twitterrific, or Twitterfon, these apps should hold any Twitter addict over for now.

IM+

Cost: $10.99

Pros: Handles both DMs and mentions. Integration with an IM app, if that’s your thing. Being first to the game is worth something, right?

Cons: Not a true Twitter client. Interface is clunky and not the best Twitter experience.

Prowl with Growl Enabled Mac Twitter Client

Cost: $2.99

Pros: Supports whatever Growl notifications your Twitter client can handle. Doesn’t add extra API calls to your account if you’re using the desktop client anyway. Supports applications other than Twitter (download notifications, etc.).

Cons: Workflow between your regular iPhone Twitter app and the notification is non-existent. Requires the desktop client to remain open to receive notifications.

iTweetReply

Cost: $1.99

Pros: Handles most Twitter functionality in addition to push notifications. Adding integration support with other Twitter clients (Tweetie, Twitterrific, etc.) in an upcoming release.

Cons: Interface isn’t the best at this time. Lacks support for multiple accounts.

Twitbit

Cost: $4.99

Pros: Full-featured client. Support multiple accounts and nearly all of Twitter’s functionality.

Cons: Interface is plain and lacking compared to other full-featured clients. Other than push, the client doesn’t have anything special that draws you in over Tweetie, Twitterrific, etc.

Boxcar

Cost: $1.99

Pros: Integrates with your existing Twitter client; application is simply a push portal. Developer has many planned features they claim are in the pipeline.

Cons: Direct messages aren’t sent to your Twitter client and are instead viewed in a clunky in-app interface. No support for multiple accounts. iPhone Twitter client integration choices are currently limited to Tweetie and Twitterrific.

Tweet Push

Cost: $0.99 per month, per account

Pros: Handles notifications for DMs, mentions, and your timeline. Supports multiple accounts. Interface is extremely polished and includes a website to manage account settings. Interfaces with and supports nearly all Twitter iPhone clients. Does not count against your Twitter API call limit.

Cons: Notifications lack detail on the account they belong to. Interesting pricing model that may become expensive over time.

For those interested, the application I choose to handle my push notifications is Tweet Push. I’m keeping a close eye on Twitbit, though, provided Tweetie or Twitterrific never natively support push.