By now, most people are aware that Twitter is currently rolling out several new features, which have now been dubbed the “new Twitter.” Personally, I’m still among the unlucky few who still don’t have the new updates (Twitter is slowly rolling them out to everyone) – despite the fact that I run four Twitter accounts for various clients and personal reasons. With that said, I’ve read many of the reviews and rants on the new features (namely embedded videos and photos and the ability to drill down on a user without refreshing the page), and I want to summarize some of the trends I’m seeing.

The people who love the new platform and features:

• Overall, advocates of the features appreciate that Twitter has taken notice of the many complaints people have about the web interface. Additionally, many believe the new platform will encourage fresh ways of consuming digital content which is good for advertising. Someone in my personal Twitter stream summed up the overall sentiment in this group nicely by saying, “If Twitter’s plan with the new roll-out was to make it more addicting, they have succeeded marvelously!”
• All Things Digital’s Katie Boehret was pleasantly surprised by the new features. Boehret notes, “So I was surprised to find that the new site offers a good number of fresh features that enhance the social-network experience. The site now works a lot like its own app, with fewer clicks needed to navigate and more ways to see content without leaving the current Web page. The site is noticeably faster with more pleasing visuals and easier ways to follow or unfollow others.”
• ClickZ sees dollar signs in the new interface saying, “This design will attract more readers rather than tweeters, as information on Twitter is now much easier to consume for the average user. And what are readers great for? Readers consume digital advertising.” With the improved ability to consume digital content, it won’t be long before advertisers figure out a way to leverage the new Twitter to reach consumers.
• Additionally, The New York Times’ Paul Boutin thinks positively of the redesign due to the emphasis on exploring content and simplifying the search functionality, two things that are regularly on a Twitter user’s gripe list.

The people who think the new platform and features are lacking:

• Overall, proponents of the new features, argue this is too little too late – A common complaint when companies roll-out features after many months of public issues.
• ZDNet’s Jason Hiner thinks Twitter should have spent its time and efforts on other aspects of the platform. Contrary to popular opinion that the company denies it is a “social network,” Hiner wished Twitter would have created more conversation-friendly features such as threaded conversations and the ability to vote.
• Another opinion from cyber security experts say, “the more new features Facebook and Twitter add, the more spammers can be expected to search out fresh security holes — and exploit them until technicians respond,” according to USA Today.

Overall, I think the new features have been positively received. By making the Web interface more interactive and visually appealing, Twitter.com has reinserted itself into the race for the best application to access Twitter feeds. However, when it comes to upgrading and understanding a company’s needs for the platform, I think they’ve still missed the mark. Social media managers do not want to log onto the website every time they want to check their stream or make a tweet. The instant access provided by third-party applications such as Seesmic or Tweetdeck is much more business friendly. Additionally, many social media managers, like me, maintain more than one Twitter handle, which is nearly impossible on the current Web version unless you want to log on and off each time you toggle accounts.

Do you have the new Twitter? What do you think so far? Do you think my opinion will change once I’m able to experience it first hand?