Bluesky Launches Flashes: A New Photo Sharing App

A New Photo-Sharing App, Flashes, is Coming to Bluesky

Positive developments continue for individuals seeking alternatives to Meta’s social media platforms. An independent developer is currently creating Flashes, a photo-sharing application specifically designed for Bluesky.

Built on the AT Protocol

The upcoming app leverages the same foundational technology as Bluesky – the AT Protocol. Its development utilizes code from the developer’s previous Bluesky client, known as Skeets.

Addressing Demand for Open Alternatives

Flashes is poised to capitalize on the increasing consumer desire for alternatives to the dominance of Big Tech in social media. This trend has spurred the adoption of decentralized, open-source applications such as Mastodon and Bluesky.

Furthermore, it contributes to the recent shift of TikTok users towards RedNote, a Chinese application, in anticipation of a potential U.S. ban. This indicates a willingness among users to explore even foreign platforms rather than revert to Meta’s services.

From Skeets to Flashes

Flashes is an evolution of Sebastian Vogelsang’s earlier app, Skeets, representing his initial venture into developing consumer applications for the expanding Bluesky network, which currently boasts over 27.5 million users.

Catering to Diverse User Needs

While Bluesky provides its own official mobile client, Skeets distinguished itself by prioritizing iPad users and incorporating customized accessibility features for individuals with visual impairments. This focus stems from Vogelsang’s expertise in accessibility.

Late in the previous year, Vogelsang identified an opportunity to build applications utilizing the existing codebase, specifically targeting Bluesky users with a preference for visual content like photos and videos.

A New Approach to Social Graphs

Because Bluesky already supports these media types, the task involved reconfiguring Skeets to emulate the design and user interface of established photo-sharing apps, such as Instagram. Vogelsang explained to TechCrunch, “I thought about the idea of having one base social graph and then having just different apps pick from that graph whatever they want to display.”

He believes this approach, which contrasts with previously separated networks, is particularly intriguing.

Expanding the Bluesky User Base

Flashes has the potential to attract new users to Bluesky who may not identify as “Twitter people,” offering them a different entry point into the network and the underlying protocol.

Not an Instagram Clone

However, the developer emphasizes that Flashes is not intended to be a direct copy of Instagram, nor will it replicate all of its features.

Key Features at Launch

Upon release, Flashes will support photo posts containing up to four images and videos lasting up to one minute, mirroring Bluesky’s capabilities. Posts made on Flashes will also appear on Bluesky, with comments seamlessly integrated back into the app, functioning as a standard Bluesky client.

Direct messages within Bluesky will also be supported.

Filtering the Timeline

Flashes operates by filtering Bluesky’s existing timeline to display only posts containing photos and videos. Vogelsang plans to implement metadata in the future, allowing users to control the influx of photo posts into their main Bluesky feed if necessary.

Leveraging Existing Code and User Base

The relatively swift development of Flashes was facilitated by the reuse of Skeets’ existing code. The app will also benefit from marketing to Skeets’ current user base, which has reached 30,500 downloads.

Integrating Subscription Features

Vogelsang is currently working to consolidate subscription-based features from both apps, ensuring users do not need to pay separately for premium functionalities like Skeets’ bookmarks, drafts, muting, and Flashes-specific features. Both applications remain free to use without a subscription.

Future Plans: Blue Screen

Looking ahead, Vogelsang intends to launch another application, Blue Screen, dedicated exclusively to video content.

A public launch of Flashes is anticipated within weeks, preceded by a TestFlight beta. Updates and further information can be found by following the Flashes account on Bluesky.