A couple of days ago, I checked if there were any updates for the applications I have installed on my iPhone, and one that was identified as having published a more recent version in the App Store was TweetDeck, the popular Twitter client for desktop and mobile. Strangely, the update failed and I just gave up trying to install the upgraded version after a while.
Now it seems the TweetDeck iPhone app is MIA from Apple’s App Store completely, barring new users from installing the app on their phones and existing ones to upgrade to a new version.
Apparently, last Friday when the upgraded iPhone app was pushed, too many crash reports resulted in Apple TweetDeck pulling the tool from the store and start working on a bug-free version. An updated version was quickly resubmitted that same day, prompting TweetDeck community manager Richard Barley to tweet that he was going to try and push for a fast return of the (free) app on the store.
Update: more information here.
No such luck, however. A couple of hours ago at the time of this writing, Barley sent out another message saying that he was ’sorry’ and felt ‘frustrated’ because the updated app still hadn’t found its way back onto the App Store.
Of course, Curpertino isn’t exactly at fault here, since it’s the responsibility of TweetDeck’s (admittedly small) team to assure that submitted apps aren’t bug-ridden, which was apparently the case with the first update they had pushed last Friday.
But it goes to show exactly how much control Apple has over the whole process, forcing developers to sit and wait until they find time to review updated versions, with no ETA ever given.
According to Louis Gray, these are the features the new TweetDeck iPhone app will boast:
The new version reportedly added Facebook support, which had previously been limited to the desktop application, as well as video uploading, integrated with 12seconds.tv, a new Landscape compose mode, trending topics support, a “Nearby” option that showed when Twitter friends were close, thanks to the iPhone’s built-in GPS, and the option to open new links in Safari.
Also, here’s a video of the upgraded app, which will hopefully be reinstated by Apple soon:
(Hat tip to Austin Nunn)
In a comment to the blog post you referenced, Iain said “even though the bug never once surfaced in all our testing, the buck stops with us – simple as that.” I expect they should get it resolved shortly and it will be back on the iTunes Store. Looking forward to it.
I’ve installed the update a couple of days ago when I saw the App Store notification.
I can confirm that it has a few extra features but it actually crashes the iPhone when you try to get into settings while it’s loading or the app just terminates the second you want to send a tweet.
At this point TweetDeck is usable as a “view-only” app, nothing more.
Hi Lorand,
We actually posted a workaround for those who had already downloaded the update but were experiencing crashes on Friday. If you go to Settings and set a default account in there, you should be able to use TweetDeck as normal.
Regards,
Richard
OK, so something went wrong and Apple pulled the updated app from the App Store, got no problem with that.
I feel it is a bit hard to make everyone wait while the mended version goes through the approval process.
So why can’t they put the previous and known working version back up, so at least users can roll back?
I was wondering the same thing.
Because Apple didn’t pull it, the developers did, so they still have to wait.
A slightly different view, this recently happened to the rssplayer update, update would not install it was eventually disapeared off the app store as well, the dev mentions on his blog about an error in the way apple wraps the application in prep for download and install
sounds a bit samey samey with tweetdeck app
I am one of the developers for RSS Player and I can tell you that we tested the crap out of out app with approx 40 testers.
Good for Apple on this one. If they submit a crap app, it should be pulled and permanetly banned for wasting everybody’s time.
You should be pulled and permanently banned from planet earthy for your unintelligent comment.
*earth
planet earthY too =)
For all their creativity and style, Apple really has some serious control issues…
So you hate TweetDeck? :s
Apple has my full support on this. I’m a iPhone user and I want to be protected. Their app store policy is excellent. Control over apps is GOOD thing…. I guess only developers think differently.
You are a democrat aren’t you?
Control over apps hijacking my phone is a good thing. Ultra-conservative control over every single aspect of the app store including hypocritical and inconsistent app rejections is the groundwork for letting Android sneak up and overtake the iPhone in the next couple of years.
I have a 3GS and am a huge fan of the iPhone, but Apple’s overbearing and inconsistent policies could allow the competition to walk right past the sizable lead they have developed. Droid isn’t that device yet, but it is close and how long before they get it right? Add a killer device to an uncensored app store and Apple is going to be on the defense.
Come on guys, life still goes on whilst you are waiting for Apple to approve the newer version of TweetDeck.
Maybe we should compile a list of what users can do with their lives and call it -
‘101 Things To Do With Your Lives Whilst You Wait For The Apple Apps Store Approval’.
You can send the list as tweets later
I got it before it was pulled and composing a message on any screen crashed the app every single time without fail. Basically the entire compose functionality was hideously broken in the update.
I guess that’s the bug that never came up during the testing process. What a joke.
Just shows that testing is an art — they probably tested on their own phones with an account set as default (as per the workaround) and never tested on a “cold” clean phone — im sure you do better yourself
Richard is doing the right thing by keeping everyone updated. The amount of buzz this has created shows there is value in their offering and they want to get it right.
When Tweetdeck was first released it crashed on me multiple times. That’s when I uninstalled it, gave it a 1 star rating and went and paid for Tweetie. Tweetie has never crashed on me.
I got the update when it was released, I haven’t experienced a single crash, everything works as it should do for me
Guess I’m lucky!
Well it’s no wonder the Tweetdeck app for iPhone is buggy, because the Tweetdeck app for desktop is still buggy (mostly layout related etc.) & slow and it has been in development for a lot longer time.
Did you really write an entire article about a twitter app? I mean really? There are thousands of apps, probably thousands of POS twitter apps. Don’t care.
“it’s the responsibility of TweetDeck’s (admittedly small) team to assure that submitted apps aren’t bug-ridden”
Oh, is it? To assure that they AREN’T bug-ridden. Come on.
So you do a piece about how the app isn’t working and then you ad a video promoing them..talk about kissing some major behind..
Who cares when you can get Tweetie 2
I grabbed the full copy of the original TweetDeck post about the new features that disappeared after the fact and have reproduced it on my site:
http://www.samp...-the-app-store/
http://www.yout...player_embedded
If free twitter apps keep on improving like this than there will no need get the paid ones
I don’t mind paying for a good twitter app but I don’t like the idea of seeing an update once every 3-5 months with some of the devs.
do you still hold TweetDeck.ipa??? I just lost all my APP,and now can’t find TweetDeck.ipa on itunestore any more,i really need it,absolutely i like it…
if you got it would you mind to send me that accessory?
thanks very much
Just FYI, the updated, fixed app is now back in the App Store and available to download now.
http://itunes.a...518757&mt=8