Twitter acquires Tweetie app maker Atebits

Confirming the acquisition, Twitter Chief Executive Officer Evan Williams in a blog stated, “We're thrilled to announce that we've entered into an agreement with Atebits (aka Loren Brichter) to acquire Tweetie, a leading iPhone Twitter client.”

Tweetie will now be called Twitter for iPhone. The application, which is currently priced at $2.99, will be offered free of cost in the Apple’s application store in the coming weeks.

Importance of the deal
As per the new agreement, Atebits' sole employee Loren Brichter will be joining Twitter’s mobile team and start working "on turning Tweetie.app into Twitter.app.”

Explaining the reason behind acquiring Tweetie, the micro-blogging site’s blog read that the takeover is aimed at allowing people to easily access Twitter “without friction or confusion.”

“People are looking for an app from Twitter, and they're not finding one. So, they get confused and give up. It's important that we optimize for user benefit and create an awesome experience.”

Apart from Tweetie, Twitter is also planning to launch application for Apple’s recently released tablet computer, iPad.

The details of the deal have yet not been disclosed.

Launching apps for other devices
Twitter is also planning to launch application for Apple’s recently released tablet computer, iPad.

The micro-blogging site has also launched Twitter for BlackBerry application, which can be downloaded for free at blackberry.com/twitter.

Further, Twitter is also exploring possibilities of releasing applications for all the major mobile platforms.

“As we work to provide the best possible Twitter experience on all of the major mobile platforms, momentum will increase dramatically. Millions more active, engaged, mobile users means more opportunities for all of us,” stated Williams.

Twitter’s move a death knell for app developers?
Twitter’s acquisition of the highly popular iPhone Twitter application has come as a shock to many developers as they believe that such moves by the micro blogging site could spell doom for them.

For years, Twitter has encouraged developers to make applications for various devices. Now by taking over iPhone application maker, they believe that Twitter is stepping on their turf.

But Fred Wilson, an investor at Union Square Ventures and a longtime Twitter board member, believes that even if the mobile clients are acquired by Twitter, the third party developers can still remain in business and benefit by focusing on “other kinds of services like business tools, analytics or gaming.”