It's also one of very few changes I've seen (one of which was changing the icon and word for the favorite/like action [which was a breaking change as far as I'm concerned; it changed the semantics of past discussions and eliminated the personal bookmarking aspect]).

I cannot imagine what Twitter is spending its time doing.

Twidere for Android is a great client that respects chronological ordering, saves your previous position, and doesn't show ads. I don't know of a desktop solution. I just put up with their shitty website and avoid it whenever possible.