Twikini: Just Another Twitter Client?

I’m a massive fan of Twitter, and over the last few months Twitter apps have improved exponentially for Windows Mobile users. My current favourite is PockeTwit which mixes a deliriously slick user interface with fast updates, short URL and photo linking to Twitpic. I love it, but I’m always happy to try a new app – so can Twikini compete?

Currently in beta, Twikini is available for download from trinketsoftware.com. Among the features it currently has are the now standard uncluttered interface, GPS or manual location display and all the usual posting, quick replies, retweets and a welcome Twitpic integration.

There’s more however – but we’ll come to that after the installation instructions.

To install, download the Twikini CAB file from the link above, either via PC or from your mobile device. If you download via PC, the file will then need to be copied to your Windows Mobile device – and it doesn’t matter if you’re using a touchscreen or non-touch handset, meaning that this Twitter app can be used on almost any Windows Mobile device! Browse to the place you have saved the CAB file and on your Windows Mobile device select Twikini.CAB and run it.

With a small installation file of just 77kb, it is compact enough to be installed and run on any Windows Mobile device running WM 5.0 or greater.

Once launched from the Program screen or Program Menu (depending on your WM version) Twikini will ask you to sign in, and quickly connect to your existing Twitter account. From here – with the notable exclusion of being able to send a Direct Reply to other Twitterers (something set to be added by the time a full version is available) you can access any of the functions you would expect from a mobile Twitter app.

A first for Windows Mobile is the link up provided by Twikini with Windows Media Mobile Player. This is a notable addition to functionality on Twitter clients this mobile platform, and demonstrates just how compact and stable the app is that it can run alongside Windows Media Mobile Player and read information from it that is then transmitted to the Twitter network online without causing any detectable impact on performance of either application.

With a user interface that is both traditionally Windows Mobile and modern, Twikini is a great all round microblogging solution that should be your first choice for a Twitter client if you’re using any older device; its functionality is such however that if you’re already happily using another Twitter app, you should try Twikini regardless.