The Apple and Twitter partnership

With news this week that Apple might invest in Twitter, what does this mean for social networking?

I’m an Android gal through and through, although I appreciate the value of iPad and iPhone. To me, it just feels like if you’re going to choose one of these devices however, you’re signing up to a very long and interactive relationship with Apple. You can’t download just any old app or any old tune, it has be all done through the iStore and iTunes. This has its own advantages, especially in terms of safety and security but I’m just a fan of being able to choose my manufacturer and style when it comes to tablets or phones. It’s feels more democratic somehow.

Which is why one can’t help but wonder what an investment by Apple into Twitter might mean for social networking. According to Business Insider, Apple could invest hundreds of millions of dollars in Twitter. This comes after reports from the New York Times that the two companies have held talks recently to discuss the possible venture. It reports, “The investment could value Twitter at more than $10 billion, higher than the $8.4 billion valuation the company got in the big fund-raising last year.”

If the investment occurs, this will mean a huge platform for Apple in the social networking world. Twitter seems like the safe investment. The social networking site turned six-years-old in March of this year, with statistics suggesting it has more than 250 million tweets per day. After Apple’s failure to make Ping popular shows that they seem to be adopting a “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” strategy instead. It also shows that Apple might be getting past its island-like way of operating, actually willing to partner with another popular company. Sometimes you need to get on board rather than building your own ship.

But what will this mean for Twitter users? It could very possibly mean that the way Twitter develops over the next few years will be influenced and shaped by Apple, which could mean some very exciting developments for the social networking tool.

I’m optimistic that if a successful venture, although reports suggest that it still very much in the talking stages, Apple will work to enhance Twitter rather than take it over. I hope I’m right. I really don’t want have to download a whole lot of Apple software or log into the iStore just to be able to send a tweet.