Apple iOS5 Deep Twitter Integration - Suspicious?
Amidst all the news this week, a rumor emerged claiming that Twitter will be deeply integrated into the upcoming iOS5. There have been no substantiated confirmations. However, Robert Scoble claims to have “actual knowledge” about this. The statement implies that he’s seen it or knows someone who has seen it. Assuming the leak wasn’t from Apple, it’s very possible that the leak came from Twitter. So be it. But it’s an interesting thought.
But let’s take a look at what this offering could be. Social functions throughout iOS apps have largely been custom written for each app. In other words there’s no built-in function to ”Share This on Twitter”. Today, that function is written and implemented by each app’s developer himself or by leveraging a 3rd party library. Also, the iOS address book is disconnected from social services. Is it possible that by integrating Twitter deeply, the iOS address book will automatically populate Twitter handles for everyone in your address book and show you if you follow them and also show you their last tweet? Both of these scenarios can’t be done with Apple.
To date, with the exception of Google Search/Maps, Skyhook A-GPS, and Bing Search - there’s no known 3rd party services integrated in the core iOS, let alone deeply integrated. This in itself raises suspicions. I have trouble believing that Apple would choose to single out Twitter for any such purpose.
However, I do believe that Apple will be demonstrating a new category of downloads from the App Store. Let’s call it a “service plug-in”. All of this so called deep Twitter integration could just be a demonstration that showcases the power of a partner’s service plug-in. In this case, Twitter. Down the road, who is to say that the next service plug-in doesn’t come from Facebook, LinkedIn, or Foursquare?
Let’s look at a scenario. I launch Flipboard and read an interesting article. When I click to share the article, up pops a standard “Sharing Services” dialog with each of our service plug-ins names. We select Twitter. And now, it would look and feel similar to the fullscreen “Share via E-mail” or ”Send via E-Mail” dialog that slides over the full screen when you try to send mail from a non-mail app. However, this sliding window would be part of the Twitter service plug-in and it would by designed accordingly. For the Twitter service plug-in, this will include the entire workflow of authentication (if needed) and posting the tweet. It may also include other options involved in composing a tweet such as enabling geolocation or adding a photo/video. And since all of this functionality is available system wide any app developer can leverage it.
These are my thoughts at the moment. They’re subject to change.
Just a thought