Today at Twitter’s Chirp conference, CEO Ev Williams announced an Android client was next on their list.

“We found we were under-serving users. We realized we had to have a core experience on these major platforms just like we do on the Web, otherwise we are failing users. It’s (Android client) going to be awesome.”Ev WilliamsTwitter CEO

Some sites are speculating that Twitter might acquire a current Android app to make their own, but I’ve been told that an original client is already in development and has been in testing for several months.

The real question now is, how long before Twitter releases the app and when will Google integrate it into their Android operating system?

In exchange for offering their own native apps, Twitter will offer developers limitless user streams and annotations and continue to push their @anywhere platform. Twitter is hoping that devs will use their huge pipe of data to launch killer apps that start entirely new businesses.

Other Twitter announcements from Chirp included the coming additions of places to its geo-tweets (check-ins, but not really) and its own link shortener.

Speaking of Twitter, are you following @androidandme?

As an Android enthusiast, I love the way Twidroid continually updates their release notes. Anyone can see just how active the developers are and they have recently began including a roadmap of upcoming features.

The next major update due in December should include:

• new: threaded conversations
• new: remember timeline position setting
• new: single tweet view with extended infos (geo, report to spam etc.)
• new: offline tweets [~2.9]
• new interface language: chinese

I also like how Twidroid is available in two versions: Free and Pro. I prefer the Pro version for its full featured lists support, multiple account management, desktop widgets, and themes (For a full comparison see their features list). The Pro version will cost you around $5, but if you are a heavy Twitter user I would definitely recommend it.

Twidroid has also been helpful for other application developers as well. They recently announced they support plugins so other apps can integrate with their service.

We’re happy to announce that we will soon provide a mechanism for Android developers to build plugins that use Twidroid as a platform for all Twitter-related communication and enhance the feature set for end-users. Our first example will be a native Google Maps integration for individual Tweets as not all currently available devices are equipped with native capabilities for viewing maps. We’ll provide further infos in the next weeks.

I know there are a million different Twitter clients for Android, but Twidroid has consistently been the best over the last year. Our readers agree too, since they voted it as the Best Twitter App during our last Android Network Awards.

If you have yet to sign up for Twitter, what are you waiting for? Be sure to follow @androidandme for up to the second updates on the latest Android news.

I wanted to give a special thanks to @gardenwife who has been active in attempting to help other Android users.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.

Anyone that submits a detailed response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. marcboy @androidandme #askandy Is there a way to change the from line in the gmail app like you can with the webapp?

Unfortunately, there is no option to change the from address in the native Gmail app.  Even the mobile Gmail site lacks this option.  For now, you are limited with one option.  If you would like to send an email from a secondary Gmail account, you must setup your other email accounts using the native Email app.

This can be accomplished in a few simple steps.

1. Login to your other Gmail or Google Apps account.
2. Go to Settings > Forwarding and POP/IMAP
3. Make sure POP is enabled and save changes.
4. Launch the Email app from your Android device.
5. Follow on screen instructions to enter your account information.

Your email address should be in the format ‘username@your_domain.com.’  For all Google accounts the incoming mail server is pop.gmail.com and the outgoing is smtp.gmail.com.  For security type, be sure to select SSL(always).

2. codethief @androidandme #AskAndy http://tinyurl.com/mnao3a says that the Magic’s battery life’s much better than the G1′s. Can you confirm that?

Yes, the battery included with the HTC Sapphire/Magic last much longer than my G1.  The G1 shipped with a 1150mAh battery and the Sapphire comes with a 1300mAh one.  In addition to the higher capacity battery, it appears other optimizations have been made.

The difference in the batteries might appear small, but it is almost like night and day.  With the G1, I had to constantly manage the battery life and it was always running low when I placed it on the charger at night.  With my Sapphire, the battery is no longer an issue and I rarely even check what the percentage is.

3. captainnapalm Why can’t I get directions to an event from within my calendar on my G2? Seems like something Google would build-in. #askandy

The native Calendar app does not support this feature, but you can find it in the mobile web version.  Navigate your mobile browser to http://google.com/calendar and you will find a “map” link that will launch the native Maps application.

Many of the native Android apps are lacking in features when compared to their mobile web versions.  This is a pattern that is likely to continue.  As we mentioned last month, Google has chosen to target the browser for new services instead of coding native Android apps.

4. Shonzilla @androidandme #askandy Are you aware of face recognition features in Android SDK? Have you seen anyone using it?

The only app I have seen that uses biometric security is BioWallet.  Unfortunately, the app has yet to be released.  They currently support both iris and handwriting recognition, but have also discussed face and voice recognition.  We will try to follow up with the developer to get an update on their progress.  In the mean time, you can follow @BioWallet on Twitter for updates.

5. mrvin #askandy is there a way to add a T9 or suretype style keyboard to android?

The T-Mobile G1 does not include a T9 input method, but many of the other builds have shipped with one.  The Canadian Rogers G1 has the HTC keypad installed as the default.  If you are one of the people who like to tinker with their phones, you can manually install the HTC_IME keypad on your phone in 3 simple steps.

1. Download the htc_ime.zip file from the XDA forums.
2. Extract the file HTC_IME.apk to your SD card and install it like any other application.
3. Enable the new keypad by going to System Settings > Locale & text > Uncheck Android keyboard  > Check Touch Input

After the new HTC keypad is installed, you can toggle the keyboard type by going to the Touch Input settings.  The three options are QWERTY, Phone Keypad, and Compact QWERTY.  The Phone Keypad type is the one which includes T9 entry.

Hopefully a developer will recognize the demand for T9 entry and release a full keyboard replacement to the Market.  ChompSMS had promised T9 in a future release, but they have failed to deliver.  Better Keyboard also claims to have T9, but the predictive text engine does not work.

6. marcboy @androidandme #askandy Is there a way to use google checkout without a credit card to buy apps in $?

From Google: “You can make purchases through Google Checkout using a credit, debit, or gift card. The types of cards accepted through Google Checkout are based on the seller’s location. Other types of payments, such as checks, money orders, and direct bank account debit, aren’t currently accepted.”

If you do not have a credit or debit card, you can go to Walmart or your local grocery store and purchase a gift card with cash.  Anything with the Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo will work.

7. TornadoTexan #AskAndy what are some cool things I can do with my rooted phone? I like having 1.5 but I need more. Especially since 1.5 is released now.

If you have a hacked phone with root access, be sure to visit the XDA Dream forums.  They have a comprehensive thread that links to most of the hacks available to root users.  You will find guides to load new custom Android builds, free up space, increase the sound volume, and more.

I think the most usefull thing you can do with root access is WiFi tethering.  If you are interested, I would recommend aNetShare or Wireless Tether for Root Users.  Both apps work great, but Wireless Tether for Root Users supports tethering via WiFi or Bluetooth.

The following video gives a short demonstration of how Bluetooth tethering works.

8. rexxars @androidandme #askandy Do you know if Google is working on any specific Market improvements? Better search, filtering etc?

I have posed this question over and over, but do not have a good answer for you.  When I asked this question at Google I/O, I was told to be patient and that the Market had only been out 6 months.  In trying to discover the root cause for lack of updates I was told that resources were limited and “you would not believe how small the Market team is”.

We have made no formal announcement, but there is a community group of developers working to address this issue.  Keep an eye on this site for updates.

9. nart1s @androidandme #askandy why should I change my iPhone to a google android?

The comparison of iPhone vs Android comes down to one word: choice.  If you choose to go iPhone, all the hardware is basically the same form factor.  The new iPhone 3Gs looks impressive, but it still lacks a physical keyboard and user replaceable battery.  The only Android phones available for purchase are the HTC Dream and Sapphire, but that will change by the end of this year.

Andy Rubin of Google recently revealed we might see 18-20 Android phones this year.  In addition to the total number of devices, Android will be coming to multiple carriers in the US.  Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint will all be launching Android devices.

In addition to the hardware choices, Android also brings more software options.  If you have the knowledge and time, you can build and compile your own operating system.  The open nature of Android also encourages community developement of the platform.  When the first Android phone shipped it lacked some basic functions like saving MMS attachments, but the community stepped up and released apps to fill the gap.  This pattern continues as more independent developers continue to improve the Android platform.

Finally, developers and customers have more choice with the competing application Markets.  Apple has a history of blocking many apps from their App Store for bizzare reasons.  The approval process for the App Store can also take weeks.  With the Android Market, developers can publish their own apps within minutes.

10. maximosis #askandy with all of the overclocking applications on the market, wondering how overclocking really affects your G1′s performance?

The overclocking apps can increase performance at the cost of battery life.  The G1 shipped with a 528mhz processor, but it is constantly throttled to save on power consumption.  The overclocking apps simply allow you to set the CPU frequency at its max value.  You will need root access in order to use these types of apps.

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

p.s. i’m thinking of turning #AskAndy into a full fledged Android application. Any developers out there interested in helping with the project?

I wanted to give a special thanks to @ryanheaton who has been very active in attempting to help other Android users.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.  We want to encourage community involvement and will be adding new features in the coming weeks to #AskAndy that will make it easier.  Soon we will be creating a dedicated Ask Andy section for the site, but in the mean time you can send responses via Twitter, from the contact page, or send email to andy (at) androidandme.com

Anyone that submits a detailed response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. superindigo2000 @androidandme #AskAndy Does having a home replacement app slow down the phone performance??

From my personal experience, I would say yes.  My biggest problem with the home apps was the pause when returning to the home screen. I have seen recent updates for aHome and Open Home that claim to improve performance issues, but have not spent time with them under Android 1.5.

At one time, I had four home replacement apps installed at once and did notice quite a bit of slowdown.  My suggestion, try one out and see if you notice a difference.  You can return any Market purchase for a full refund in the first 24hrs so there is nothing to lose. We posted a roundup of the different home apps back in March if you are looking for a basic comparison.

2. skry Is there a good #android Twitter client? Twitdroid only retrieves the last hour or so and can’t get earlier tweets. #askandy – phroghollow @androidandme #askandy Anyone else having issues with Twidroid lately? Having issues with it not caching more than 100 tweets

Twidroid is still my go to Twitter client for Android.  I had issues with it retrieving all my recent tweets, but the latest version has fixed that problem for me.  If you upgraded from a previous version of Twidroid, uninstall it then reinstall it again.

For issues with caching, try storing your tweets on the SD card by selecting it from the Twidroid settings.  If you are still experiencing problems, contact Twidroid and report the bug.  They have good customer support and have responded to problems I ran into.

Last month, we sampled five Twitter clients here.  I’d like to post an updated comparison, but I need to spend some extended time with each client.  I have no problems with Twidroid right now, so I’m not actively looking for a new client.  If enough people suggest some alternate clients, I’m willing to take a look at them and post my updated thoughts.

3. kaushikgopal Is there a way you can record normal phone conversations with the Android, assuming it to be legal in my country? #AskAndy

I have tried using Phone Recorder from Mamoru Tokashiki, but found the sound did not always work.  The app is free so you can try it out and see if it works for you.  The current version only saves the last five calls and limits the recordings to ten minutes.

There is also a paid app called Call Recorder, but I have not used it.  The app is stuck on the original 1.0 release so it appears it is not being actively developed.  Again, you can try it for 24hrs before you decide to keep it.

If someone can show me an app that does this and is well supported, I would purchase it in an instant.

4. PurplePenguin04 #askandy Is there a way to choose what name shows up when I leave an app review or am I stuck with my gmail username?

nExSoftware: Go to Google, Log in, go to Edit User Info within My Account, Update Nickname.  If you are currently signed in, you can visit the following link https://www.google.com/accounts/EditUserInfo

5. j_norton #askandy #android how do I get back to my default home screen after I’ve set dxTop or aHome to be my default home? @androidandme

The process for clearing an app to automatically run is the same no matter what type of application it is.  Perform the following steps:

• From the home screen press Menu and go to Settings.
• From the Settings menu go to Applications then Manage applications
• Scroll down the list until you find the program that is set as the current default.
• On the app info page look for “Launch by default” and tap clear.

Some of the home replacement apps also have an option to return to the default from their main menu.  Each one changes so often that I do not have detailed instructions on that.

6. davorg @androidandme What was in the Android update that went out to T-Mobile UK G1 owners this morning? (we already have cupcake) #AskAndy

Everything I have read points to the new update being a security fix.  One of our readers codethief sent in the follwing picture which shows the kernal version has been updated from 2.67-00392 to 2.67-00393.  Another reader sent in this oCert Advisory which details an Android security issue, but I have no confirmation if this was the actual fix addressed.

Recent CRB43 update.

7. AndrewKam My phone suddenly stopped recognizing the SD card. On/off didn’t work, and neither did in/out. Any suggestions? #askandy

For issues with the SD card I always suggest to power off the phone, remove the battery, and reseat the card in the slot.  If that does not work, you can test the SD card with a card reader from your PC.

When you have given up all hope on a SD card, you can always reformat it directly from your phone.  I trashed my partitions when I first attempted AppstoSD and this got my 8GB card working again.  This can be accomplished in 4 easy steps:

1. From the home screen press Menu and go to Settings
2. Navigate to SD card & phone storage
3. Press Unmount SD card
4. Press Format SD card

Please note this will erase all information, but if you can’t access the card then you don’t have a choice.

8. stefwill @androidandme When will Android be able to use WPA2 Enterprise? #AskAndy

ryanheaton: WPA-Enterprise is still not part of Android, not even #Cupcake (not ADP, anyway). WiFi Helper app provides it, but needs root.

WiFi helper is available for free on the Market and supports the following type of wireless networks:

• Open
• WEP
• WPA Personal
• WPA2 Personal
• WPA Enterprise
• WPA2 Enterprise

There is also a Pro version available for $0.99 which includes settings for advanced users.

9. ryenyc @androidandme What are the best Android websites and resources for G1 owners (besides Androidandme)? #AskAndy

There are so many sites that it depends on what you are looking for.  For basic Android news, you can visit Planet Android which is a collection of RSS feeds from many different types of Android sites.  For Android Market info I visit Cyrket and aTrackDog.

For a more detailed listing of Android sites, Android Tapp posted a list of 25 Awesome Google Android Sites and 25 MORE Awesomer Android Sites.

10. OrganizedFellow @androidandme #AskAndy Can we get a poll and see which is more popular and why? JesusFreke, Haykuro, or TheDude?

XDA forums recently did a poll and JesusFreke won with over half the vote.  Haykuro has just released his latest build 6.0 with new goodies so it might be time to for a new poll.  We recently ran our first poll and I was surprised with the participation we received.

I am evaluating several polling solutions and I now plan to start weekly polls.  I will add this to the list of questions we might ask our readers.  While I’m on the subject, is anyone interested in an Android polling application? ;)

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

I wanted to give a special thanks to @TornadoTexan who has been very active in attempting to help other Android users.  As this week’s winner, we are sending you a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.  Keep submitting your questions via Twitter because we will be giving out more Amazon.com Gift Cards each week to those who ask and answer questions.

If you would like to participate, you can search the #AskAndy tag on Twitter to see if there are any questions you might be able to answer.  We want to encourage community involvement and will be adding new features in the coming weeks to #AskAndy that will make it easier.  Soon we will be creating a dedicated Ask Andy section for the site, but in the mean time you can send responses via Twitter, from the contact page, or send email to andy (at) androidandme.com

Anyone that submits a detailed response to a question will receive full credit with a link back to your site.  If you have any suggestions on how we can improve #AskAndy, leave a comment.  Thanks again and keep the questions coming.

1. argylesocks @androidandme #askandy Is there anyway to keep Google Maps running in the background & updating my location in Latitude?

So far, the only way I have found to keep my location up to date is by manually forcing it to find me.  I open Maps and hit “My Location” which normally does the trick.  If that does not work, then go into the Latitude privacy settings to hide and then detect your location.

TornadoTexan found this Google support page that says this is a known issue and being worked on.

This is the intended behavior, however, there is a known issue where background location updates stop periodically on the Android devices, especially if you are using many other apps simultaneously. We’re in the process of working on releasing a fix for this issue so thank you for your patience. In the meantime, you may need to occasionally tap My Location from the Maps menu to restart background updates.

2. QDOG8 @androidandme do you know when the 1.5 OTA update will officially come out? #Cupcake #AskAndy

Phandroid posted the first screen shot of a cupcake OTA update back on April 30th.  A week after that T-Mobile finally announced on their forums that the update would begin May 11th.  That day came and went, then on May 12 Android Market Support sent an email to developers informing them the the Android 1.5 update was starting and “over the next few weeks, the percentage of devices running Android 1.5 will increase as devices get updated to the latest version of Android.”

The most recent rollout schedule I have seen was posted on Android Central.  They received a tip that T-Mobile would begin the rollout tomorrow May 18th.  This is the rumored release schedule:

• 5% of Android Devices will receive the Android 1.5 Cupcake Update on Monday, May 18th
• 15% on Tuesday, May 19th
• 30% on Wednesday, May 20th
• 45% on Thursday, May 21st
• 60% on Friday, May 22nd
• 75% on Saturday, May 23rd
• 90% on Sunday, May 24th
• 100% on Monday, May 25th

So basically, there has been much confusing over the actual release date and rollout schedule.  It is my opinion that this thing was kind of fumbled badly.  It would have helped if T-Mobile would be more transparent with the actual schedule in order to quiet all the noise across the web.

Of course, you could always decide to root your phone and flash a custom build of Android.  Then you get to decide your update schedule.

3. TornadoTexan #AskAndy after rooting my phone I restored my contacts from a backup I had made but now they aren’t showing on gmail. Can I get them back?

Your contacts should sync automatically in Gmail and the Dialer, but many users have reported sync issues.  I had quite a few myself with Gmail, but most of them appear to have been fixed in Android 1.5.

After searching all over the Google Mobile Help, I found the following troubleshooting guide for sync problems:

1. Press your phone’s < Home > button, then press < Menu >.
2. Select Settings and then Applications.
3. Select Manage applications.
4. Select Gmail Storage and then select Clear data. Answer OK when prompted.
5. Return to the list of applications by pressing the < Back > key.
6. Select Gmail and then select Clear data. Answer OK when prompted.
7. Restart your phone (Press and hold the < End call > button, then select Power off. Press < End call > to power on).

Your phone will re-sync with the server after restarting (this may take several minutes).

That appears to have worked for some people, but I still see many cases of sync errors.  I suggest reporting any unresolved problems to the Google Mobile Help page so they are aware of how many people have problems.

4. treebykooba @androidandme are there any batteries you can buy that are better than the original? do they actually work that good? #AskAndy

If you are looking for a longer lasting battery, you have two options to choose from.  You can get a same sized battery with a higher capacity, or buy one of the jumbo sized versions that more than doubles the original.  The downfall of the larger batteries is that most cases and accessories will no longer fit with the increased bulk.

The HTC G1 comes with a 1150 mAh.  The largest battery you can purchase is the Seidio Innocell 2600 mAh for $52.95.  If you are looking for an original sized battery with a bigger punch, Seido also offers a 1400 mAh extended life battery for $40.90.  If you are trying to go cheap, you can find a 1200 mAh battery for 0.89 made by HTC.0.89 m0.89 from0.89 0.890.0l.

5. therealjorge @androidandme is there a non-geek-speak explanation to teach rooted G1 users to install and run apps on the sd card? #AskAndy

I am not ready to approve a non-geek method for installing apps to the SD card, but we are very close.  MarcusMaximus has released a new version of AppstoSD 2 on the Market that is attempting to address these issues.  The latest version downloads the sdsplit script to your phone which allows you to partition the SD card without typing any commands.

I tested the new version out, but I’m a newb myself and ruined the partitions of my 8GB card.  Thankfully, you can reformat your SD card from the G1 menu settings to repair it.  If you would like to try it out at your own risk, make sure you read the full instructions.  With continued feedback, the bugs should get worked out and the app can be made more idiot proof.

When I feel comfortable enough with the app and the recovery process, I plan to post a guide geared towards the novice user.  Stay tuned for details.

6. dbuffini Does @androidandme or anyone else know if the G1 now supports Stereo Bluetooth? I know it claims to, but has anyone made it work? #askandy

Yes, the new Android 1.5 update adds A2DP stereo bluetooth.  I have no bluetooth headphones, so I have not tested it out.  I’ve seen some readers with bluetooth headphones and we plan to post some reviews soon.

7. therealjorge @androidandme Is 1.5 going to offer a simpler way to do a screenshot for those of us too hesitant to root our G1s? #askandy

No, there is not a built in screenshot feature.  The best option that does not require root access is to install the SDK and use the Davlik Debug monitor to capture the screen.  In the coming days, I will post a full guide on all the required steps.  I believe I have also seen some of the home replacement apps like aHome are starting to include this feature.

I’ve posted the link several times, but The Rebeldroid has a YouTube video up that demonstrates how to use DDMS to capture screens.

8. nateblackest @androidandme my g1 hangs loading my homescreen when I hit the key, I’ve deleted all non essential apps, are there caches to clear? #askandy

The most common cause of degraded performance is normally low internal storage space.  When you run out of room, your phone sometimes pauses in order to automatically clear out Market and Browser caches.  Uninstall as many apps as possible that you no longer use.  If you are still experiencing problems, you can always do a factory reset by going to Settings > SD card & phone storage > Factory data reset.  This of course erases all data so make sure you backup first.

If you wish to manually clear out caches, you can go to Settings > Application settings > Manage applications.  This will allow you to pick and choose which caches are cleared.

I’ve also experienced slow performance when I had multiple home replacement apps installed at the same time.

9. itradio #AskAndy (this is a joke… Maybe) When will Android have an App that will tell me exactly what I want for lunch? lol

nExSoftware:  The Where app has a function that picks at random a place to eat that is “near” you.

10. Amabacha @androidandme #askandy How can I purchase an #Android Dev phone in South Africa?

After you sign up for an Android developer account, you can purchase the Android Developer Phone from a link in the console. The phone sells for $399.00 USD. You can find the order form at http://android.brightstarcorp.com/

Let Andy answer all your Android questions. #askandy on Twitter.

Twitta Tweets

Twitta

Twitta is the leanest of these five clients. It takes a mere 121Kb. This stripped down client is great if you want to save space, but supports fewer functions than the other clients. Options are simple, including notification on and off, tweet check interval, notification ringtone, and a checkbox to turn vibration on and off.

Twitta doesn’t support viewing @messages and direct messages as a separate screen. It shows all tweets from your network together. It does support @replies and re-tweeting. The text box to enter your tweets is conveniently located at the bottom of the screen.

This is a great client for people with smaller networks or people with space issues on the G1.

Twoid Tweets

Twoid

Twoid is a 300Kb Twitter client that is clean and easy to use. It supports viewing of all public tweets, your tweets, viewing a list of followers, and viewing a list of friends. It supports @messages and direct messages. Twoid also supports viewing user profiles and adding keywords to user profiles to assist in filtering tweets.

Twoid has very few options, which may appeal to users who want a simple setup and a simple client. Twoid remembers your login information after the client’s initial start. Other than that, there are simply very easy to use features and functions.

Twit2go Tweets

Twit2go

At 323Kb, Twit2go is a midsized client with a simple, effective Twitter client that allows a good variety of font size options. It also allows you to select the interval between checks for new tweets. The range of options is from disabled to every three hours.

Twit2go’s update screen offers a running count of remaining characters, a URL shortener, and supports sending a picture taken with the camera. It also supports uploading the last picture taken.

Twidroid Tweets

Twidroid

Twidroid is a solid Twitter client for the G1. At 605Kb, it is one of the larger clients tested. Tweets are readable and the user avatar is clear. The opening screen is simple and easy to use. In addition to the most recent tweets from your network, there are four buttons across the bottom of the screen. The first button brings up a text box to allow you to send a new tweet. The second button brings up @messages directed to you. The third button takes you to your direct messages. The fourth refreshes the list of tweets.

Twidroid has some very useful features. Just beneath the box where you type your tweet is a pair of buttons. The first allows you to send a picture stored on your memory card. It supports both Phodroid and Twitpic. Image upload quality can be set based on the type of network you are connected to. The second will attach your location to the tweet. The menu key has a direct link to the current buzz on TwitterSphere. You can access your favorite tweets via the menu key. Twidroid also allows you to search tweets.

The settings menu offers a number of useful items. You can choose to be notified of all tweets, or you can select or deselect notifications for general tweets, @messages, or direct messages. The amount of time for tweet checks can range from three minutes to once a day. People who want to manually check for tweets can disable the automatic checking. Shorter check intervals use more battery power. Notifications can be any combination of vibration, LED flashing, or ringtones. A custom ringtone can be set for new tweets.

Twidroid supports a dizzying array of URL shorteners: short.to, tinyurl.com, is.gd, tr.im, and sai.ly. The URL shortener can also be disabled. Other options with Twidroid are larger font sizes, metric units, and a selectable number, between 50 and 250, of last tweets to download. It supports SSL connections and can automatically attach your location to all tweets, including street names in the U.S.. Twidroid allows you to store the cache on your memory card, which leaves a bit more phone memory free for other applications.

TwitterRide Tweets

TwitterRide

At 808Kb, TwitterRide is the largest of the twitter clients tested. A number of settings can be chosen on login. They include turning auto-refresh of recent tweets on and off and a daemon that checks for new tweets even when the app isn’t running. New tweet checking can be set between 5 minutes and 120 minutes. You can also select your notification types to include vibration and LED Flash. TwitterRide can be set to only notify you of @replies and direct messages.

The TwitterRide screen is clean and usable. Three tabs allow you to see all tweets, @tweets, or direct messages. Touching a tweet brings up a context menu to favorite the tweet, view the user profile, re-tweet, or send a reply or direct message. The settings menu brings up the initial login screen to allow changing of default settings.

The posting screen supports uploading of an existing image or taking a new image with the camera. It also supports a URL shortener.

Conclusion

All of these clients have their strengths and weaknesses. Twidroid makes up for its larger size in its ability to store the cache on the memory card. TwitterRide is simply the most full featured of all of the clients. The two mid-weights have a different balance of features, and would appeal more to people who don’t have huge Twitter networks. Twitta is outstanding for people who either have small networks or who tweet infrequently.