Yahoo isn’t the only site that is undergoing a homepage change. The URL-shortening service Bit.ly did a slight reworking of its main site today as well. And not surprisingly, it’s very Twitter-focused.
The new design is called “Bento Box,” according to a post on the Bit.ly blog. This is named after the containers that Japanese food is often served in. The reason is that Bit.ly is now more obviously broken up into sections, for the different core functionalities: Shortening links, custom URLs, posting to Twitter and shortening other links.
On the homepage, there remains a big URL input box for shortening, and below that, a list of the links you’ve already shortened (if you’re signed in). But when you enter a URL to shorten now (or do so via the handy bookmarklet), you get a nicer-looking set of options for what you can do with your new Bit.ly URL. This includes easy access to copy that URL as-is, get stats, but also a way to more obviously change the URL to a custom one. So, for example, if you want your URL to be http://bit.ly/thisismylink, you can do that (assuming it’s not taken). You could do this previously, but it was a bit buried in the UI.
Also much nicer is the ability to easily post to different Twitter accounts. Many people have multiple Twitter accounts for multiple purposes now, and before you had to sign out of one and sign in with the other if you wanted to tweet from each with Bit.ly. Now, there’s a drop-down menu which allows you to add another account seamlessly.
Bit.ly has seen an explosion in usage since Twitter decided to make it the default URL shortener for the service. Many third-party Twitter apps use it as the default as well. The service is getting ready to roll out what sounds to be an ambitious project called Bit.ly Now, which sounds like it will take on Digg in finding out what’s popular on the web right now.
It has also been shoring up its core business by adding features such as checking for malicious URLs.
[photo: flickr/miheco]
bit.ly is ug.ly as shit.
Listen to this hater who calls himself “the technology gangster.” Some of you guys come to Tech Crunch just to express your hostility and negativity. I’m so sick of listening to people like you.
Very true. There is nothing “ugly” about Bit.ly. Probably this person used it because it rhymed with Bit.ly.
This is a great move from Bit.ly. I think the guys there are slowly preparing us for Bit.ly Now. Waiting to see how Digg will take it. (Already it is fumbling with the Digg Bar and now, with the recent landing page..)
They still have a stupid name. Redesign can’t help that.
what would you know, damian? your website is ugly as well.
At least I have a website not like you without a website, criticizing others by hiding behind a fake and stupid name. You fucking LOSER. Get a life.
Nice redesign but it’s actually more confusing for users who aren’t logged in. When your not logged in, you can’t make custom URL’s!
I loved it. The new design looks very cool and its very easy to use.
Whoa, this story is a stretch.
I combed my hair a different way today. Want to write about that too?
Seriously though, inspired by Japanese food? You could call just about any web design a bento box. They mostly all are comprised of a set of containers with various functions.
I’m sending my next press release to you.. Yay! TechCrunch coverage!
yes.
Why are you so negative, DV? The new design is good. Stop complaining.
Bento is also the name of the dafault skin for Winamp.
Now I’m all hungry.
I love when company’s upgrade their services. Everything just gets so easy for me.
Except plurals
These guys are feature machines. And they seem to have a non-delusional business plan. And they’re the ones getting all the attention.
Maybe the VC recession is a good thing.
Now if they just had a DiggBar style bit.ly/http://techcrunch.com type auto-shortener…
Yeah, that should come next! It is probably quite easy for them to do… I can think of exactly how I would do it if I were them.
These URL shortening guys should also let users tag the URLs , so that they could take on both StumbleUpon and Digg
:p
I ate a sandwich 10 min ago. Feel free to write a story about it Mostly Google guy.
Pictured food loks chinese though.
Oh, really? Are you sure?
Only if you think all asian looks the same.
Sushi comes with that? LOL
Wanna know where people go to snag a cougar, say, Just for future reference?
“Cougar Central”? “San Carlos” ? or “San Francisco”?
*** Agelover. c o m *** is the real place that is packed with them.
this is awesome post – mg is great at writing post of high value. he like bitly so he post great about the new homepage – yes. maybe next he post about new icon on youtube?
bit.ly flagged all my links as adware. I only had like 8 links, all going back to different parts of my ebay store, accessed less then 20 times. How is an auction for some clear bakugan or a Marilyn Monroe barbie involve adware??? I’m switching all my links OUT of bit.ly later.
what restaurant is that bento box from? It looks delicious.
I like very much the writings and pictures and explanations in your adress so I look forward to see your next writings.
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