Bluesky Launches Flashes, Its New Photo-Sharing App
In the realm of social media, where big tech dominance often stifles innovation, an intriguing new player is set to make waves.
Sebastian Vogelsang, a developer known for his work on the Bluesky client Skeets, is about to launch Flashes, a photo-sharing application built on the same foundational technology as Bluesky—the AT Protocol.
This new app promises to bring a fresh twist to photo sharing by integrating with Bluesky’s social graph, allowing different apps to access and display shared content seamlessly.
Vogelsang’s Flashes is designed with a user-friendly interface reminiscent of popular photo-sharing platforms like Instagram, but with its own unique features and functions.
Unlike Instagram, Flashes will not attempt to replicate the full feature set but will focus on integrating photo and video sharing into the Bluesky network.
At launch, users can look forward to posting up to four images or videos up to one minute long, which will also appear on the Bluesky network.
— Flashes App 📱 (@flashesapp.bsky.social) January 15, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The development of Flashes was spurred by Vogelsang’s desire to create a more accessible social media environment, particularly for those who may not see themselves as typical social network users.
‘This may give them an entry point into the network, into the whole protocol,’ Vogelsang explained to TechCrunch.
His focus on accessibility, particularly for iPad and visually impaired users, remains a core component of his development philosophy.
Moreover, Flashes aims to simplify user experience by integrating features across both Skeets and Flashes, so users don’t have to pay separately for premium features like bookmarks, drafts, and rich push notifications.
Vogelsang is also considering a future video-only app called Blue Screen, further expanding the options for content creators and consumers alike.
With over 27.5 million users on Bluesky and a robust download history for Skeets, Flashes is positioned to significantly impact how people interact with visual content online.
A TestFlight beta is expected in the coming weeks, and those interested should keep an eye on Flashes’ Bluesky account for the latest updates.
This development comes at a crucial time as consumers increasingly look for alternatives to traditional social media giants.
With the launch of Flashes, Vogelsang not only enhances the functionality of the AT Protocol but also enriches the user experience, tapping into the ever-growing demand for versatile and user-focused social media platforms.
