Twitzu: Good Idea, Missing Features and Upcoming or Google Calendar Integration

When I saw Twitzu flit across my radar as the newest shiny Twitter-based feature application, I was fairly excited. I use Twitter for many things, but event planning and event news is definitely at or near the top of my list. I couldn't wait to check it out.

After giving it the once over, I was a bit disappointed to see that Twitzu joins a long line of Twitter based services that are much more of a feature than a stand alone application.  Overall it is missing several key features that are essential to taking it from a novelty to a functional and useful service.

Twitzu's interface for creating an event is simple and easy to use. It takes only moments to get up and running - all you need is a Twitter account and an idea for an event. One drawback to its form is that it is limited to 50 characters, even less than the usual Twitter 140. This is because an RSVP link goes out with your post.

Once your event is created you are taken to a simple RSVP page listing the details of the event and a place for attendees to RSVP. Once someone RSVPs their Twitter avatar shows up on a list of people attending. The page lacks any kind of sharing feature that might make it more useful, however.

The most glaring omission from Twitzu, at least to me, was a lack of calendar posting links. What good does Twitzu do me if I can't add the event to my Google Calendar or share it on Upcoming? Without a way to remember I'm going to an event, the chances of me attending it are slim to none. I found myself recreating the test even I created for my wine group in Ning and on Upcoming, just to make sure people could put it on their calendars.

The site also loses a few points for form and function. Yes, it has a simple task: creating events to broadcast on Twitter. That's no excuse for a shoddy web site, though. Twitzu's look and feel is bland and square over all, a real turn off for those of us spoiled by the rich attractiveness of the social web. 

I see Twitzu as performing a useful service, but it needs to do a bit more to be remembered and actually used. Adding a way to add the event to iCal, Google Calendar, Outlook or my Mobile Phone/PDA/Smart Phone is essential for Twitzu's survival, in my opinion. Savvy social media users  expect that kind of integration in their services now, and a site that doesn't offerat least a bareminimum of easy integration is doomed to fail.

Edited to fix screen shot 6/23