Facebook and Twitter applications will make texting obsolete sooner rather than later. At least that is how I see it. Why text when you can tweet?

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   kjohngamblino #ihatefemaleswho talk on twitter an wen u see them they face in their  blackberry like a drone. 01 Jun 2010 from UberTwitter

Mobile communication is growing and if you are not connected, then you may be left behind.

Practically everyone is walking around with a smart phone these days. It is a constant sight to see people glued to their Blackberry, iPhone or other mobile device.I recently downloaded the new “trial” Twitter for Blackberry application.

Here are some of my initial reactions to Twitter for Blackberry that I tweeted while using the application.

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   leesy_ Finally got the twitter app to download. Let’s see if this works out. 21 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   leesy_ Twitter for Blackberry- Day 1. Took forever to accept first tweet. Hope that is not a reg thing. 21 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   leesy_ Twitter services r always busy. How am I supposed to tweet as it happens if it can’t keep up? Twitter needs an upgrade. 27 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   leesy_ Rate limited. #Twitter #Fail 27 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®

Not too long after that, I was no longer able to access the Twitter for Blackberry application. As of today, each time I try to enter the application, I am presented with a clock symbol that means “processing” and my phone proceeds to lock up. I will attempt to download the application again and see what happens, but right now I am not impressed.

How do others feel about Twitter for Blackberry?

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   jodierog oooh crap, someone with a blackberry help, I clicked on my sisters twitter app but now it’s deleted facebook and she isn’t happy 29 May 2010 from web
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   ohbbyoh Twitter for BlackBerry SUCKS! 01 Jun 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   NoKA_ENCORE @itiombe and u should get ubertwitter cause twitter for blackberry is #whack 01 Jun 2010 from UberTwitter in reply to itiombe
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   EricAsafailo Just downloaded a New twitter app for my blackberry. So far its working good 01 Jun 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   tbooog I’m now using Twitter for blackberry lol welcome welcomed 01 Jun 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   Melissag03 This twitter for blackberry had spellcheck…idk if I like that. 01 Jun 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   pinkymomo1978 HELP!! i downloaded di appli of twitter for blackberry and can fill in comment but it can’t be reflected on da screen! WHY? 01 Jun 2010 from web

Obviously there are a few bugs Twitter for Blackberry needs to work out. Once those issues are addressed, I think Twitter for Blackberry could be great. I will even tweet more often as long as I am not rate limited. Facebook lets me post away, so Twitter needs to compete with that.

I have been using Facebook for Blackberry for a few months. The only complaint I have is how long it takes for me to be able to views photos, if at all. Plus the multiple posting of comments is an annoying bug that needs to be erased. Aside from that, I can almost say I love it.

Individual tweets on Twitter about Facebook for Blackberry lean more towards the negative, but I was able to find a couple of positive reactions.

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   FreshoXpresso I’m lovin this app where I can IM on Facebook..Blackbery, Blackberry!!! I wanna be yo man!(U.T.F.O. voice) OldSchool know that group 28 May 2010 from UberTwitter
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   loganwright Just got the new facebook app for blackberry. Not bad much better than before. 31 May 2010 from web

Many individuals used Twitter as a vehicle to express their dissatisfaction with Facebook for Blackberry.

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   kebs0716 Just redownloaded facebook app for my blackberry cause the old one was so useless! It took forever to refresh stream! 30 May 2010 from UberTwitter
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   hurknet The iphone really does have a better application base then BlackBerry. And the Facebook app for the BB really sucks! 30 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   LivingLifeMobil Facebook for BlackBerry app just sent me a notification from 2009 #wtf 30 May 2010 from SocialScope
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   NinoPunchlines Yeah I wished Facebook had a better App for Blackberry’s cause Facebook for Blackberry makes my BlackBerry Freeze! @shurekas 30 May 2010 from web
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   StevenfRESCO I HATE the facebook app for blackberry. Like a lot. 31 May 2010 from UberTwitter
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   kevin_choo Socialscope is getting my facebook notifications faster the native facebook app for blackberry.. 31 May 2010 from SocialScope
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   shinyshughes Keep giggling at ‘refreshing stream’ and ‘fetching photos’ on blackberry facebook app 31 May 2010 from Twitter for BlackBerry®
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   soneyehmoneye I officially have deleted Facebook app from my BlackBerry. 31 May 2010 from web
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   chungkuo The Facebook app on my blackberry deleted EVERY CONTACT when I removed it. 31 May 2010 from Spaz
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    mackjagger_102 Blackberry needs a new facebook app… 31 May 2010 from UberTwitter

Despite the many flaws of each application, I appreciate having Facebook for Blackberry. I cannot comment further on Twitter for Blackberry until it is functional for me. The Blackberry applications, in theory, should make access more convenient.

Note: Expletives were deleted from applicable tweets.

Because of its simplicity, Twitter has great potential for many different uses and applications. With a little creativity, the possibilities are nearly endless.

A recent survey out of Norway sheds some light on that, showing that tweeting journalists use the service in multiple ways – at least in that country:

• Research (30 percent)
• Private use (29 percent)
• Getting story ideas (23 percent)
• Promotion and branding (17 percent)
• Building network with other journalists (15 percent)
• Get in contact with sources and do interviews (13 percent)
• Get feedback from readers (12 percent)

This list is far from exhaustive. Twitter can also be used to actually cover events, live tweeting from them or documenting a question and answer.

There are many other possibilities as well for creative uses and team projects, such as shared accounts and reaching out to a designated target audience. Twitter can also be used as a publishing platform for headlines and breaking news.

In the end, it oftentimes depends on the individual journalist or organization and what they seek to accomplish. They may elect for a combination of the above, and that’s OK. The many uses help make the service special, and if you can think of a creative one, you’re likely to set yourself apart.