With a potential TikTok ban in the US and the growing desire to avoid large tech companies like Meta, Bluesky is proving itself to be a strong alternative. The platform will soon launch Flashes, an app specifically for photos and videos. This demonstrates how quickly Bluesky can respond to what users need.
Why are alternatives like Bluesky important?
An increasing number of people are leaving large platforms like Instagram and seeking new, more independent options. Apps like Mastodon, Pixelfed, and now Flashes are responding to this need. They offer users more control and less dependence on large tech companies. Additionally, TikTok users in the U.S., due to a potential ban, are looking for other apps. Some are turning to platforms like RedNote, a Chinese app. However, Flashes could be an interesting, independent alternative for many people.
What exactly is Flashes?
Flashes is a new photo and video app built on Bluesky's technology. It integrates seamlessly with Bluesky and offers features such as posting photos (up to four per post) and short videos of one minute. Everything you share via Flashes also appears on Bluesky. This makes it an easy and visual way to attract new people to Bluesky.
Why is this important?
Bluesky demonstrates its ability to quickly respond to changes in the market. Thanks to the technology behind previous apps like Skeets, developer Sebastian Vogelsang was able to build Flashes in a short time. This rapid innovation capability makes Bluesky a strong alternative to Big Tech.
Moreover, Flashes offers opportunities for TikTok users who want to prepare for a future without TikTok. The app is visually oriented, making it very accessible, even for those who have not previously used a platform like Bluesky.
What else is on the agenda?
Flashes is just the beginning. The developer is also working on a video-only app called Blue Screen, along with new features that will provide users with more options at no additional cost. Flashes will be launched soon, with a test version available in just a few weeks.