Landing in the Apple App Store just before Christmas, social networking tool and startup, Buffer announces its native iPhone app. Free to iPhone & iPod Touch users, the iPhone app allows Buffer customers on free or paid plans to connect to their Buffer account to manage what will be appearing in their followers timelines whilst they carry on doing what they need to do.
“The iPhone app has been the most awaited feature for Buffer and we are glad to provide our users with an early Christmas present”, says Leo Widrich, Buffer Co-Founder.
Today, I’m going to review it based on its functionality, design and ease of use.
Functionality
Once you have downloaded it from the App Store and tapped in your credentials, you are granted with your account displayed up front. If you have more than one account connected to Buffer – Twitter and a Facebook page for example, you are able to swipe between the two accounts.
One feature I would like to see improved upon is the Analytics tab. It details all the posts between your account(s) but doesn’t show any kind of statistical data compared to Buffer on the desktop. Another feature I’d like to see is a pro version released for paying customers as well as the ability of being able to share photos and videos from your device without the need of uploading them to a 3rd party host beforehand.
Design
The design is quite minimal, reflecting the appearance of the website design. It would be nice to see a window or drop down menu showing all the accounts connected to your Buffer and connections between Twitter (native & 3rd party) and the native Facebook app, allowing the user to see what is going on within his timeline in one tap.
Ease of Use
The Buffer App for iPhone is very easy to use and navigate around. The application isn’t slow and doesn’t crash whilst using it which is a plus on top of simple menus which are hidden until you need them.
Overall
As with every first application launch, there are some good and bad parts with plenty of room for improvement. It would be great to see this application launch for the iPad through time, once the iPhone app is perfected for the avid sharer.
I’m rating the Buffer App for iPhone 7/10. You can download it from the Apple App Store here.
About Jonny Rowntree
Jonny Rowntree is an 17 year old blogger sharing the tricks of the blogging trade on JonnyRowntree.com and interviewing entrepreneurs who are going to change Startups & Silicon Valley. Follow me on Twitter →