Netbot, Tapbots’ iOS client for App.net, has been updated today to version 1.1, which adds two of the most requested features from the app’s userbase: push notifications and search.
Both features have been created by Tapbots’ developer Paul Haddad on top of App.net’s streaming component of the API. This means that, while Netbot isn’t streaming timelines like Tweetbot yet, it’ll be able to send you notifications for Mentions, Reposts, Stars, and new Follows. Once again, this works just like Tweetbot: head over your account’s Settings and select Notifications to choose which kind of information you’d like to receive. In my tests, Netbot’s push notifications were reliable and fast.
Search has been brought to Netbot as well. The implementation is very simple for now: just open the Search tab, enter a keyword, and you’ll be shown global posts containing that keyword. Due to the early nature of the App.net API, there are no fancy options such as search by location, trends, and so forth.
A love-hate relationship for several Twitter/App.net users, crossposts have been enhanced in Netbot 1.1. You can now crosspost quickly by hitting the standard Repost button on the post drawer; this will bring up a new option called “Repost to Twitter”. You can also choose which Twitter account to repost with if you’ve given Netbot access to your Twitter accounts.
Netbot 1.1 doesn’t make the app more different from Tweetbot, but it’s a solid update that adds useful functionality for ADN users. Get it from the App Store (iPad version).
