The new Twitter app for iPad is a major step forward

I've just booted up the upgraded app for the first time and it really is excellent.

I have always liked Twitter for iPad, it was one of the best apps on there. Like many people I didn't really see the need for a major overhaul. However, now that I've seen the upgrade it makes sense. You can't imagine wanting to use the old one, and that is how innovative tech brands should operate.

Ultimately the new Twitter app gives you a much clearer indication of how people are interacting with you, as you can now see retweets and favourites as well as replies. The 'Discover' options are better, and the profile section is clearer too.

The only thing really missing is an easy way to see trending topics. Additionally, you do still have to go into iPad setttinigs if you want to add multiple accounts, as you can't do it directly in the app.

The clever bit from Twitter's point of view is that they are making the app look more and more like the website. This is helpful in their growing determination to monetise and get people onto the site and away from third party apps.

While people will undoubtedly winge about this upgrade, they always do, Twitter have actually created a better iPad product for their customers, and are begining to look like a serious, grown up, tech company.