Twitter for iPad updated for split-screen mode

The official Twitter app for the iPad has been updated with a new adaptive design that’s ready for the split-screen apps coming with iOS 9. Previously, the Twitter apps for iPhone and iPad were developed seperately, often leaving the iPad lagging behind when it came to new features.

Now, Twitter has decided to make both apps adopt an adaptive design, which means the user interface automatically adjusts to the screen size and orientation of the device, as well as the size of the “canvas” – ie. whether the app is being used full screen or in a split-screen mode.

“By examining each of these characteristics, we can determine an optimum line length that makes reading comfortable and easy, regardless of the text size you’ve chosen,” reads a post on the Twitter blog. “We can adjust the baseline type size so the content feels right relative to the size of the view. We can adjust image presentation for the orientation of your screen, giving you a better photo browsing experience.”

The adaptive design means Twitter’s developers don’t need to revamp the app every time Apple releases a new device with a different screen size/resolution, and allows the company to release new features across all platforms simultaneously. This latest update means iPad users finally get to use the new embedded quotes system in Twitter, for example, which has long been available on the iPhone.

“From time to time there are going to be some differences in features and functionality between devices,” Twitter cautions, adding: “In the future, we aim to get Twitter for iPad and iPhone to complete feature parity.”

The new design does, however, leave a lot of white space around the edges of the timeline, especially when holding the tablet in landscape mode. 

The update should be available to iPad owners now.