## Tired of the Instagram Algorithm’s Grip? There’s a New Kid on the Block (and it’s on your iPhone).
Instagram’s grip on our attention seems unyielding. But what if there was a way to break free, to connect with others on a platform built on openness and user control? Enter Flashes, an exciting new microblogging app built on the decentralized Bluesky protocol, and now available for iPhones.
What is Flashes and How Does it Work
Flashes, a recently launched app built on Bluesky, is an Instagram alternative that seems to get all the important basics right. As a social media platform, Flashes allows users to share photos and videos with a twist: multiple custom feeds to choose from instead of the algorithm-driven default option.
Logging in with Bluesky and Creating a New Account
When you first open Flashes, you’ll be prompted to login with a Bluesky account or create a new one to use exclusively with Flashes. If you use your existing account, the app essentially repackages image and video posts from whoever you’re currently following into an Instagram-style feed.
Feeds, Search, and Post Creation
The app itself features multiple tabs, with a home tab for your feeds, a search tab where you can search for posts and view trending topics, a dedicated tab for creating new posts, a notifications tab that features all of your Bluesky notifications, and a profile tab. Flashes includes some filters to apply to your photos, along with some custom feeds that you can use if you want, but otherwise customizations are minimal.
Features and Customization Options
Multiple Custom Feeds and Algorithm-Free Experience
One of the standout features of Flashes is its approach to feeds, which differs significantly from Instagram. Instead of being locked into a single algorithm-driven feed, Flashes allows users to choose from multiple custom feeds, giving them more control over their social media experience.
Filters, Post Customization, and Minimal Options
Flashes includes some filters to apply to your photos, along with some custom feeds that you can use if you want. However, customizations are minimal, making it an image and video-focused version of Bluesky.
Integration with Bluesky and Cross-Posting
Flashes interacts seamlessly with the Bluesky platform, allowing users to cross-post content between the two platforms. This integration also means that any post you put on Flashes will also show up in your normal text-focused Bluesky feed.
Implications and Drawbacks
The Double Notification Problem
One of the drawbacks of Flashes’ integration with Bluesky is the potential for duplicate notifications. If you get a lot of Bluesky notifications, you’ll now get them twice, once in the Bluesky app and once in Flashes.
Account Deletion and Cross-Platform Consequences
If you delete your account from one app, it will also be deleted from the other. This means that users need to be careful when managing their accounts across both platforms.
Balancing Customization and Portability
Flashes’ design fits into the broader landscape of social media alternatives, which are focused on providing users with more control and portability. However, this comes with its own set of challenges, as users need to balance their desire for customization with the need for portability.
The Bigger Picture: Bluesky and the Future of Social Media
Building a More Customizable and Portable Social Media
Bluesky’s goal with the AT Protocol is to build a more customizable, portable version of social media that doesn’t lock users to one platform. This vision is shared by other apps like Mastodon and Threads, which are using ActivityPub to achieve similar goals.
Momentum and Growth
Bluesky has been picking up momentum, with the app hitting 20 million users in November 2024, prompting a dramatic expansion to its moderation efforts, and then passing 30 million users in January 2025. Flashes’ design means all of those new Bluesky accounts are potential Flashes users, too.
The Potential for Widespread Adoption
The shift in social media is clear, with users increasingly looking for alternatives that provide more control and portability. Flashes, along with other apps like Mastodon and Threads, is contributing to this shift, potentially paving the way for widespread adoption of new social media platforms.
Practical Considerations for Users
Pros and Cons of Using Flashes
For potential users, it’s essential to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of using Flashes. On the one hand, Flashes provides a more customizable and portable social media experience. On the other hand, it comes with some drawbacks, such as the potential for duplicate notifications and account deletion issues.
Getting Started and Tips for New Users
For new users, getting started with Flashes is relatively straightforward. Simply login with your Bluesky account or create a new one, and start exploring the app’s features. Tips for new users include taking advantage of the app’s custom feeds and filters, as well as being mindful of the potential drawbacks.
Flashes as a Complement to Other Social Media Platforms
Finally, Flashes can be seen as a complement to other social media platforms, rather than a replacement. By integrating Flashes into your existing social media routine, users can take advantage of its unique features while still maintaining their presence on other platforms.
Conclusion
Flashes: A Glimpse into the Future of Social Media
The recent launch of Flashes, an Instagram alternative based on Bluesky, has sent shockwaves through the tech community, with many eagerly awaiting the next big thing in social media. As reported by Engadget, Flashes has finally arrived on iPhones, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of online platforms. Key to this development is the fact that Flashes is built on top of Bluesky, a decentralized social media protocol that promises to revolutionize the way we interact online. This new platform boasts a more open and transparent approach to data sharing, user control, and content moderation, setting it apart from traditional social media giants.
The implications of Flashes and Bluesky are far-reaching and multifaceted. With the rise of decentralized platforms, users are now empowered to take control of their online presence, free from the shackles of data exploitation and censorship. This shift in power dynamics has significant implications for the way we engage with social media, with potential far-reaching consequences for advertising, content creation, and online discourse. As Flashes gains traction, we can expect to see a fundamental transformation in the way we navigate online communities, with a renewed emphasis on user agency and digital rights.
As we gaze into the future, it’s clear that Flashes and Bluesky represent a seismic shift in the social media landscape. With the lines between traditional platforms and decentralized alternatives blurring, we’re on the cusp of a revolution that will reshape the very fabric of online interaction. As Flashes continues to evolve and grow, one thing is certain: the future of social media will be decided not by corporate interests, but by the users themselves. Will you be part of this revolution, or will you remain stuck in the past? The choice is yours, but one thing is clear: the future of social media has never been more exciting – or uncertain.