Twitter’s valuation reached $1 billion last week, validating the microblogging service that has taken the concept of status updates to a new and more social level. In reaching such a milestone, we’re also reminded of the vast ecosystem that Twitter is evolving, providing support for a plethora of third party applications. Many of these applications are finding ways to monetize themselves while also shifting the ways in which we use Twitter as a platform.
One particular trend is the creation of apps that incorporate multiple forms of media into a tweet. Early on we saw several Twitter competitors crop up in an effort to beat Twitter to the punch and give users what they ultimately want. Most of these competitors have either dead-pooled or been acquired by larger companies. However, we’re seeing newer apps designed specifically for use with an existing Twitter account, leveraging their large 
user base for gaining their own traction while providing Twitter users with a valuable tool.
Companies like 12seconds and Robo.to are more specifically turning to user-generated video content for their applications, following the short-form tactic that forces us to be extremely concise with the sharing of our thoughts. Robo.to is particularly interesting as it limits users to soundless, 4-second video recordings. The idea behind Robo.to is that the short clips can be used as social calling cards, another form of a status update, or an avatar to replace the static user photo. But is this what users want?
Startups, especially web-based startups, have a tendency to offer game-changing concepts which they establish as differentiating factors. That appears to be the case with companies such as Robo.to. Fortunately for many such companies, there is often an initial company that was able to break the mold with their own revolutionary execution of a new concept, as we’ve seen with Twitter’s platform and participating applications. This is quite a feat, as many users don’t like to be coerced into changing their thought process or experience towards a particular service or application.
Nevertheless, the growth and popularity of Twitter has pushed forward this change in thinking about how we socially share our thoughts, and where the value lies in doing so. And it seems like the entire world is along for the ride. This all begs the question of where the trend for multimedia tweets is going.
Ultimately it will come full circle to Twitter and the ability to provide real-time search of the web. By creating apps that provide more media options yet still connect to one’s Twitter account, there lies the ability to expand the types of content available to real-time search engines.
Incorporating multiple types of web and media into real-time search has been a primary goal for several independent engines, including OneRiot and Collecta. Even Microsoft’s Bing project was forced to rely heavily on Twitter for real-time search engine results. This is the case nearly across the board, and it inherently constrains the potential for a well-executed real-time search engine. Layer in third party applications which let users link their Twitter accounts, however, and some of that reliance on Twitter is alleviated.
The future of real-time search has yet to be determined, but I think an eventual divergence from Twitter is a necessary step in its ability to mature into an established form of searching web content. For the time being, though, Twitter is among the most efficient ways to comprehend a portion of the web’s activity in real time.
