'Flashes' is looking to take on Instagram and X, with help from Bluesky

[Macallik86]

Summary

• Flashes, a new photo-sharing app, has just gone into open beta, attracting thousands sign-ups within hours of launch on iOS using TestFlight.
• The app offers a familiar experience with similarities to Bluesky and Instagram interfaces.
• Flashes benefits from its close connection with Bluesky, aiming to attract more users and offer an Instagram alternative.

Bluesky is an alternative to X that has surged in popularity in recent months due to Elon Musk's management of the social media platform previously known as Twitter . Now, a new Instagram alternative is also gaining traction, thanks to Bluesky.

Sebastian Vogelsang, an independent developer from Berlin, recently announced Flashes, a new photo-sharing app similar to Instagram that has been built using the same AT Protocol as Bluesky (via TechCrunch). The app was just released in open beta for iOS using Apple's TestFlight service, and within a few hours, it had already attracted over 3,000 sign-ups.

A familiar photo sharing experience
Flashes' user-interface is a mix between Bluesky and Instagram

Flashes App 📱 (@flashes.blue)

bsky.app

The feed for users on Flashes is populated with content from Bluesky, as the app "filters" photos and videos from the platform for your feed. Currently, it allows posts featuring up to four photos and videos that are up to a minute-long. Additionally, users can switch between various feeds they have on Bluesky to access more personalized content.

The interface is reminiscent of Bluesky and Instagram (see above), and just like Meta's popular image-sharing app, you can like and comment on photos, add filters, and direct message users. The app's developer hopes Flashes will encourage more users to try out Bluesky and attract people who "never saw themselves as a Twitter person."

Flashes being so closely intertwined with Bluesky is working to its benefit. On February 1, Bluesky announced it had reached a milestone of 30 million users and 1 billion posts. With that many people signed up and posting, there's a good chance some of them wouldn't mind an Instagram version of the app -- which Flashes is working on delivering.

Flashes is looking to take on Instagram and X, with help from Bluesky

Flashes is a new photo-sharing app that wants to become an alternative to Instagram and X.

www.pocket-lint.com

 

[Formerly Black Trash]

Gotta get on these new bbws before they get a big following

 

[Givethanks]

After Instagram I'm probably just gonna cook.

• I didn't get threads
• Don't have twitter
• Facebook is dead and only have it for family...but now it's all full of ads so I'm not going on that unless it's too look up something for work or a memory from like 10 years ago
• Snapchat is dead; it's good to see what's happening in other parts of the world live. (It been had Israel dropping bombs on Palestinians for a hot minute now, demonstrations all over when George Floyd was murdered and all the police murders in real time

I should be more involved with social media but I don't think I have it on me anymore. When the coli evaporates; that's it.

 

[Ahadi]

Ehhhhh

 

[Dont@Me]

Gotta get on these new bbws before they get a big following

not before i do nukka

 

[Scustin Bieburr]

Using #killmoreceos in the preview video.

They understand their audience.

You beat oligarchy with a shadow economy. Offer people alternatives and the monopoly crumbles. Those bytchasses at meta will try to sue to get it taken down. Hope bluesky legal team is on hulk mode.

 

[Macallik86]

I'm hoping it catches on. I feel like Twitter and IG are just force-feeding people Elon Musk and Pop The Balloon challenges

 

[Gloxina]

Using #killmoreceos in the preview video.

They understand their audience.

You beat oligarchy with a shadow economy. Offer people alternatives and the monopoly crumbles. Those bytchasses at meta will try to sue to get it taken down. Hope bluesky legal team is on hulk mode.

If this gets popular….

 

[ALMIGHTY GOD]

just the name alone means it will fail.....