Twitter reaches out to Apple IOS developers

MICRO-CHATTING SERVICE Twitter is reaching out to its developer ecosystem in a bid to reach new consumers and increase its footing on Apple IOS devices.

In a message Jack Dorsey, Twitter's executive chairman and engineer asked developers to help Twitter help them, explaining that with their input it could do a better job.

With Apple showing an increased interest in Twitter, he said, and pushing for deeper integration, he wanted a warts and all look at how developers viewed it.

"As Twitter developers, you are a fundamental part of our DNA. Thank you for your many contributions to the Twitter ecosystem. Our ongoing commitment is to give you the structure, tools, resources, and support you need to build your businesses as you leverage the power of Twitter," he wrote.

"So to help us do a better job with that, we want to hear from you. I'd like to ask for your candid feedback. We want to know what additional materials you need from us to help you build products, boost distribution and expand your reach."

Dorsey said that Twitter would pay developers back for this and as well as offering them new tools to work with it would also bring their wares to a wider audience.

"In exchange, we will not only work to provide you with better tools and resources, but we will also bring you new opportunities. I'm particularly excited about what's happening in the mobile world," he added.

"With Apple's upcoming deep integration of Twitter into iOS 5, there is an opportunity for us, together, to take the ecosystem to a new level. Very soon, anywhere there's an iPhone or an iPad, you'll always find Twitter."

Twitter recently bought Tweetdeck, which was a pretty good example of a third party application, and its likely that this gave the impression, at least to developers, that it preferred the idea of keeping its most usable goodies in house. This call to arms, or rather developer fingers, might be part of a move to try and redress that.

In his statement Dorsey pointed readers to a new discussion board on the Twitter developer pages. Introducing that he added, "I'd like to continue our discussion here. What kind of raw materials can we provide, what kind of APIs would you like to see, what policy changes can we make to better help you? Please tell me what questions and feedback you have for us." µ