Twitter is transforming the way we watch TV. Reading and writing Tweets has become the new water cooler, helping us connect in real-time around our favorite shows, competitions and events. On Twitter, you get closer to the characters and shows you love, as stars, writers, directors, news anchors and more live-tweet from behind the scenes.

And now things are getting even more exciting for Twitter and TV — and more specifically fans of The X Factor USA. We've partnered with the show so that starting next week, you can cast votes for your favorite contestants via Twitter. Fans have taken to Twitter during live television events to voice their opinions with Tweets for years. Now you can officially affect the outcome of the show by voting for which contestants should stay and which ones need to go.

To vote, follow @TheXFactorUSA. Then submit your vote through a Direct Message (a private way to communicate on Twitter) so as not to spoil the results. All votes are sent directly to The X Factor to be counted. Tweets do not count as votes.

The easiest way to vote is by visiting twitter.thexfactorusa.com. We’re also featuring Tweets from the judges, the host and the final contestants to get inside every angle of the action. You don’t have to wait for voting to begin though. Join the conversation with other X Factor fans today with #XFactor and tell Simon what you think — he’s listening!

From singing competitions to awards ceremonies to dramas, watching your favorite shows is better with Twitter. In addition to tuning in to The X Factor on Twitter, here are other ways to get closer to your favorite television shows and stars:

• TV stars live-tweet to give you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what’s happening on your screen. From Kyra Sedgwick live-tweeting the summer’s finale of The Closer to Masi Oka bringing fans behind the scenes of Hawaii 5-0, stars use Twitter to talk to viewers and viewers are talking back.
• #Hashtags organize the conversation. You’ve probably spotted hashtags on your television screen this year. From #DWTS to #BigBangTheory to playful hashtags like X Factor’s #BestMomentSoFar, hashtags are the front door to the shared conversation on Twitter. Search for them on Twitter and add them to your own Tweets to join in.
• Twitter lets everyone become a TV critic, 140 characters at a time. Show creators, actors, producers and executives search Twitter to gather feedback — and they’ve been known to revise a show’s storyline based on what fans are saying.

We’ve collected best practices across the industry to help producers and TV executives keep innovating around Twitter and TV.

Twitter is now fully integrated into Apple’s new iOS 5 mobile operating system, available for the first time today. Now it’s even easier to share and read Tweets on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Simply enter your Twitter login information into your device settings, and you’ll always be connected to your Twitter account. This means you can tweet directly from Apple apps like Camera, Maps, Photos, Safari and YouTube, along with third party apps, such as Chomp, Flipboard, LivingSocial, Instagram, MadPad, PopSugar, Showyou, SoundTracking and Zynga's Words with Friends.  

You can also take advantage of the latest version of Twitter for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, which now allows you upload images directly to Twitter (pic.twitter.com). Download the Twitter app now from the App Store.

This year’s @NHL season starts tonight and goes through June. Thanks to Twitter, hockey fans can check in on every angle of the action, anytime. Here’s how:

Follow the players.
No matter your allegiance, you can find a favorite player on Twitter. A few suggestions: Washington Capitals captain @Ovi8, New York Ranger @BrandonPrust8, San Jose Shark and Calder Cup finalist @LoganCouture, or Flyer @Max25talbot. Find more with the NHL’s players list.

Go behind the scenes.
The league’s Senior Vice President @NHLShanahan keeps fans up-to-date with the latest news on player suspensions and fines, including personal video explanations. Insiders @Real_ESPNLeBrun, NHL columnist Pierre LeBrun, and Canada’s @TSNBobMcKenzie share news, analysis and insight into the action. And if Fantasy Hockey is your game, stay informed with @NHLcomFantasy and @ESPNFantasy for tips and suggestions.

Get instant updates.
Turn on SMS notifications for your favorite accounts and make sure you never miss a goal all season long. You can learn about it here.

Follow the teams.
Every team in the NHL is on Twitter. Follow your favorites for updated scores, player information and news. Check out the full list below.

Eastern:
Atlantic: New Jersey Devils [@NHLDevils], New York Islanders [@NYIslanders] New York Rangers [@thenyrangers], Philadelphia Flyers [@NHLFlyers], Pittsburgh Penguins [@pghpenguins]

Northeast: Boston Bruins [@NHLBruins], Buffalo Sabres [@SabresDotCom], Montréal Canadiens [@CanadiensMTL], Toronto Maple Leafs [@MapleLeafs], Ottawa Senators [@NHL_Sens]

Southeast: Carolina Hurricanes [@nhl_canes], Florida Panthers [@FlaPanthers], Tampa Bay Lightning [@TBLightning], Washington Capitals [@washcaps], Winnipeg Jets [@NHLJets]

Western:
Central: Chicago Blackhawks [@NHLBlackhawks], Columbus Blue Jackets [@BlueJacketsNHL], Detroit Red Wings [@DetroitRedWings], Nashville Predators [@PredsNHL], St. Louis Blues [@St_Louis_Blues]

Northwest: Calgary Flames [@NHLFlames], Colorado Avalanche [@Avalanche], Edmonton Oilers [@NHL_Oilers], Minnesota Wild [@mnwild], Vancouver Canucks [@VanCanucks]

Pacific: Anaheim Ducks [@AnaheimDucks], Dallas Stars [@DallasStars], Los Angeles Kings [@LAKings], Phoenix Coyotes [@phoenixcoyotes], San Jose Sharks [@SanJoseSharks]

For even more suggestions, check out this list.