Flashes brings minimalist photo and video-sharing features to Bluesky
The app is designed for users who crave a simpler, ad-free photo and video-sharing experience.
Because users are constantly on the lookout for alternatives, social media platforms are always adding new features to keep users engaged and be the platform of choice.
Bluesky has been gaining attention as a fresh alternative, offering a more user-friendly experience that gives people more control. It’s becoming a place where users can engage in a way that feels more personal and less cluttered.
As Bluesky grows, new apps and features are emerging to enhance the experience. One of the most exciting of these is Flashes, a minimalist app built on Bluesky for sharing photos and videos.
Unlike traditional text-heavy apps, Flashes focuses on visual content, allowing users to create slideshows of up to four photos or videos. This simple, no-frills approach offers a streamlined way to share and connect online.
Integrated with Bluesky's open-source AT Protocol, posts on Flashes will automatically appear on Bluesky and vice versa, creating a seamless connection between the two platforms.
Louis Eriakha
Flashes isn’t meant to be a reskin of Bluesky, rather it’s a tailored experience for those who prefer photo-heavy social media, similar to early versions of Instagram before it became what it is today. By focusing on visual content, Flashes aims to attract users who have been seeking simpler, less cluttered alternatives to the more complex, ad-driven platforms.
Bluesky itself has reportedly grown to about 27 million active users, so it's expected that Flashes keys into this audience to kickstart itself. For now, though, Flashes is still in development and is expected to launch in the coming weeks, with a TestFlight beta available before the full release.
As concerns about privacy and data collection grow, apps like Flashes offer a refreshing shift. With platforms like TikTok facing potential bans and the general increasing skepticism toward big tech, decentralized networks like Bluesky provide a promising alternative for those seeking more control over their social media experience.
