Bluesky: Twitter’s New Rival Launches with Invite-Only iOS App
Introduction of Bluesky
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and former CEO of Twitter, has introduced a new social media platform called Bluesky. This invite-only social network, which evolved from a decentralized project within Twitter, is now available on the App Store. Users can find the app by searching for “Bluesky social.”
Similarities to Twitter
The design of Bluesky closely mirrors Twitter, featuring circular profile pictures, follower and following counts, and bold account names with grey handles. This resemblance is not surprising, given Bluesky’s origins as a Twitter spin-out company.
Decentralized Social Media Platform
Bluesky is built on a decentralized social media protocol known as Authenticated Transfer. Announced by Jack Dorsey in 2019 while he was still CEO of Twitter, this protocol aims to enable various social media networks to interact with each other. The Bluesky app operates on this protocol, reflecting its decentralized nature.
Background and Development
The Bluesky project began in 2019 with Twitter providing financial support. Although the initiative started before Elon Musk acquired Twitter, both Dorsey and Musk had discussed the idea of an open-source protocol through text messages just before the acquisition.
Expected Features of Bluesky
Bluesky features a simple user interface that allows users to create posts of up to 256 characters and images. Unlike Twitter’s prompt “What is happening?,” Bluesky asks, “What’s up?” The app includes basic tools such as sharing, muting, and blocking accounts, but advanced features like creating lists are not yet available.
Navigation and User Interaction
The discover tab, located in the middle of the navigation menu, helps users find new accounts to follow and view recent updates. Notifications display likes, reposts, follows, and replies, similar to Twitter. However, Bluesky currently lacks a direct messaging feature.
User Profiles and Interaction
On Bluesky, users can search for and follow others, viewing their updates in a Home timeline. User profiles include a profile picture, background, bio, and metrics that are similar to those on Twitter, providing a familiar experience for new users.
Bluesky, with its decentralized approach and familiar design, offers a new social media experience while building on the foundation laid by Twitter.
