Tag: Bluesky

  • Bluesky Introduces Video Tab as User Growth Surges

    Bluesky Introduces Video Tab as User Growth Surges

    As the movement away from X continues, the number of Bluesky users has recently surpassed 25 million. More users means there’s a growing need for features that are already present on other social media platforms. The app now has a special video tab that gathers all the media a user has shared. The news was shared by Bluesky’s official account, along with some other useful updates.

    New Features and Updates

    Bluesky began allowing video uploads in September 2024. Earlier this month, a short outage of TikTok in the U.S. led the network to implement a vertical video feed. The addition of the video tab shows that the platform is changing and aims to promote more engaging posts.

    Whenever a social media platform rolls out new features, users often seize the chance to ask for even more functionalities. Bluesky is still in its early days, having only opened public sign-ups in February 2024. Users frequently request an edit function for posts, a feature that X offers only to premium subscribers. While there’s no timeline for when editing might be available, Bluesky has improved the process for blocking users who send hurtful direct messages. The latest 1.97 update also brings enhanced translation options.

    The Vision Behind Bluesky

    Bluesky was created by Jack Dorsey, the ex-CEO of Twitter, back in 2019. It’s no surprise that the layout feels similar to what users of X are used to. However, Bluesky’s open-source AT protocol lets users customize their feeds with smart filters. Although text and images are still the primary focus of the platform, videos are rapidly becoming an important part of the recommended content.

    X currently faces financial difficulties, and with Elon Musk’s increasing political involvement, it’s losing even more revenue. Bluesky does have stiff competition, like Meta’s Threads, but its prospects appear brighter than ever before.

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    Bluesky Introduces Video Tab as User Growth Surges

     

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  • TikTok Set to Shut Down in the US This Sunday

    TikTok Set to Shut Down in the US This Sunday

    Currently, TikTok US is valued between $40 billion and $50 billion, but it faces a deadline of less than a week to keep its services running. This situation would leave about 170 million users in search of alternatives like Bluesky or X. In relation to X, there are hopes in China that Elon Musk might take control of TikTok’s US division. If this happens, it’s possible that the two platforms could merge. However, any takeover would require time for regulatory approval, meaning that for now, this is just speculation.

    Plans for Shutdown

    A report from The Information, cited by Reuters, states that “TikTok plans to shut off its app for U.S. users on Sunday, when a federal ban on the social media app could come into effect, unless the Supreme Court moves to block it.” Nevertheless, the law signed by President Biden last year does not enforce this shutdown. It would prevent new downloads from Apple’s or Google’s app stores but would still permit current users to access the app. In the long run, this could lead to a gradual decline in user numbers.

    User Notification Strategy

    In the event of a ban, TikTok has plans to show an in-app notification that will guide users to a webpage with more information on the situation. Additionally, they will offer users a chance to download their account data before they lose access. This approach aims to ease the transition for users if the app is restricted.

    Potential Consequences

    Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, a possible retaliatory ban from China affecting a US company like Micron might lead to negotiations between the involved parties soon. TikTok estimates that one-third of its 170 million US users would stop using the app if the ban lasts for a month, suggesting that there could be a resolution to this matter by mid-February, one way or another.

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  • Comment on Any Web Page with Bluesky and a New Chrome Extension

    Comment on Any Web Page with Bluesky and a New Chrome Extension

    Developer Lloyd Jones has just launched a Google Chrome extension that allows users to easily comment on any web page using Bluesky. This new tool builds on the foundation laid by Emily Liu, who was the first to make Bluesky function as a comment section for various blogs. The extension also incorporates the work of coryzue and LoueeD, adding to its functionality. While setting it up requires developer privileges in Chrome, the process is quite simple and user-friendly.

    Installation Steps

    All the necessary files for the extension can be found on Jones’ GitHub page. The instructions provided are straightforward and ask users to do some initial setup, which involves downloading the files, accessing the Chrome extensions flag menu, enabling developer mode, and installing the extension itself. After this, users will need to log into their Bluesky account using the link given to create a unique password that allows the extension to work properly. With everything set up, users can easily reply to any website with just a click of the extension, and they can also view any responses to their posts within the extension’s menu.

    User Experience

    In practice, this serves as a quick and effective method for users to generate posts they wish to discuss. The ability to see comments appearing in real-time is also a cool feature. However, users must keep in mind that this extension has the capability to access the website they are visiting when the extension is clicked. Testing revealed that this could lead to accidental posts on Bluesky. Luckily, the extension is still relatively new and is expected to improve over time.

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  • Bluesky’s Rise: Is It a Competitor to X Social Media?

    Bluesky’s Rise: Is It a Competitor to X Social Media?

    Bluesky, a newer microblogging site, has seen a huge increase in its number of users. Once just a quiet player behind X (previously known as Twitter), Bluesky has now stepped up as a strong option, especially as countless unhappy users are leaving Elon Musk’s controversial site. As of November 2024, Bluesky has gained over 20 million active users, which highlights both its attraction and its capability to change the social media scene.

    The Birth of Bluesky

    Started in 2022 by Jack Dorsey, who also helped create Twitter, Bluesky had a tough time getting noticed in a crowded market ruled by X and Facebook. It was made under AT Protocol, a decentralized tech for social media meant to give users greater control over their data and interactions. The aim was straightforward: to form a space where freedom of expression could flourish without the manipulation by algorithms that often plagues other platforms. Despite having a well-known supporter, Bluesky’s growth was initially sluggish.

    A Turning Point in 2024

    Everything shifted in 2024 when major incidents started to unfold in the realm of social media. X, under Musk’s management, has run into a number of issues, from changes in moderation rules to problems with user experience. These incidents opened up chances for competitors, and Bluesky took full advantage of the situation.

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  • Bluesky Won’t Use User Content to Train AI

    Bluesky Won’t Use User Content to Train AI

    Bluesky, the alternative social media platform to X (previously known as Twitter), recently declared that it will not utilize user content for training its AI systems. This statement coincided with the introduction of X’s revised terms and conditions.

    Changes in X’s Policies

    In the previous month, X revealed a number of updates to its overall terms and conditions. These new rules permit the platform to share customer information with third parties, who may employ it for focused advertising and AI model training.

    X’s modified terms feature significant penalties for external data miners—automated programs that gather user information. The platform specified that if an account is detected accessing 1 million posts within a single day, it would incur a fine of $15,000.

    Bluesky’s Commitment

    Bluesky affirmed that it will “not utilize any of your content to train generative AI, and have no plans to do so.” However, this does not prevent external crawlers—tools designed to index websites—from collecting data.

    "Just like robots.txt files don’t always stop outside companies from crawling those sites, the same situation applies here. Nonetheless, we wish to contribute to ensuring that outside organizations honor user consent and are actively engaging with our team on how to achieve this,” Emily Liu, a spokesperson for Bluesky, informed The Verge.

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  • Ads Expected on Threads in 2025: What to Know

    Ads Expected on Threads in 2025: What to Know

    While the alternative to X/Twitter, called Bluesky, took over three years to reach 15 million users, Meta’s Threads achieved that milestone in about 10 hours. Although Threads is currently having difficulty reaching the 300 million user mark, it seems that “more than 250 million” users is sufficient to initiate plans for monetization. In mid-2023, Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that Threads has the potential to be the next social network from the company to reach 1 billion users, suggesting that advertising would come after achieving “hundreds of millions,” though he did not specify a clear figure. Recent info suggests that this could happen next year.

    Advertising Plans for Threads

    As per “three sources with direct knowledge of the plans” who talked to the Information, advertising is expected to launch on Threads in early 2025. Last month, Zuckerberg referred to 275 million monthly active users while discussing Threads and its future prospects. The three insiders also noted that only a limited group of advertisers will be allowed on the platform during the initial phase, set to begin in January 2025.

    Future Features and Revenue Expectations

    Conversely, Meta’s CFO Susan Li addressed this topic in a post-earnings call in October, indicating that Threads is not anticipated to be “a significant revenue driver for 2025.” She also shared that the app will receive additional features soon, but unfortunately, she did not reveal any specifics about these new additions. With Facebook currently dealing with numerous scams and questionable advertisements while often enforcing unnecessary censorship on various opinions, Threads could serve as a remedy for these issues. However, it’s possible that Meta could repeat its previous mistakes, leaving us to wonder what 2025 will hold for users of this platform.

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