Tapbots Unveils Exciting New Bluesky App ‘Phoenix’ to Thrive Beyond Mastodon
Exciting news is on the horizon for Bluesky users, as Tapbots, the renowned developer behind popular iOS applications like Ivory, is set to unveil a new app called Phoenix. Designed specifically for Bluesky’s rapidly expanding social network, which now boasts over 32 million users, Phoenix aims to enhance the user experience in this vibrant online community.
Tapbots Announces Phoenix for Bluesky
In a recent announcement on Bluesky, Tapbots revealed a teaser for its upcoming app. The company is expected to launch Phoenix sometime later this summer, bringing innovative features to Bluesky’s platform.
Commitment to the Fediverse
Despite the development of Phoenix, Tapbots reassured its users that it remains committed to the fediverse, also known as the open social web. The company stated that while the development of its existing app, Ivory, will experience a temporary slowdown, it will not abandon its efforts in the decentralized social networking space.
- Ivory: Launched in 2023, Ivory offers an alternative to Mastodon’s official app, featuring a familiar look and feel reminiscent of Tweetbot.
- Fediverse Integration: Ivory is integrated with ActivityPub, facilitating connections with other federated applications like PeerTube and Pixelfed.
Understanding Bluesky and Its Protocol
Bluesky operates on the AT Protocol (or atproto), distinguishing it from other platforms like Mastodon. Following Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk and its transformation into X, many users have migrated to alternative networks such as Bluesky and Mastodon. This shift has led Tapbots to diversify its offerings to cater to its split customer base.
Why a Separate App for Bluesky?
Tapbots decided to develop a dedicated app for Bluesky instead of merging it with Ivory to provide a superior user experience. Additionally, a cross-posting feature is planned, enabling users to maintain a presence on both social networks seamlessly.
However, this means that development on Ivory will need to slow down as the team focuses on launching Phoenix. Tapbots acknowledged this challenge on its website, stating:
“It would be a lie if we said Ivory would be in full development while we are trying to get Phoenix up and running.”
Monetization Strategy and Future Plans
While Tapbots has not officially disclosed Phoenix’s monetization strategy, it is anticipated that the app will adopt a subscription model similar to Ivory. Currently, Ivory offers a subscription at $1.99 per month or $14.99 per year.
Before its full launch, Phoenix will enter a limited public alpha phase, offering eager users a sneak peek ahead of the expected summer 2025 release.
For more updates on the development of Phoenix and other Tapbots applications, visit the Tapbots official website.
Stay tuned for more news on this exciting new app and the future of social networking!
