Do you long for the days when Instagram was solely focused on photo sharing? If so, Flashes may quickly become your app of choice. This innovative application, which operates on the decentralized social network Bluesky, brings visuals back to the forefront. Keep reading to discover all its features and how to get started.
What Is Flashes and Who Can Use It?
Flashes is a fresh entrant in the realm of social applications, characterized by a commitment to decentralization and user-oriented functionality. It utilizes the AT protocol, the same open-source framework that powers Bluesky, a Twitter alternative created by Jack Dorsey after his exit from Twitter.
Surprisingly, Flashes is not developed by the Bluesky team but rather by Sebastian Vogelsang, a Berlin-based independent developer and also the creator of the Skeets app, which serves as a third-party client for Bluesky.
You can download Flashes from the App Store, provided your device runs iOS 17 or later. An Android version has yet to be announced.
Before you dive into Flashes, make sure you have an active Bluesky account, as it is required to use the app.
Understanding How Flashes Operates
Gaining access to Flashes is simple: just sign in with your Bluesky credentials. The app syncs seamlessly with your existing Bluesky network, transferring your follows and pulling in images and videos from your feed. It then presents these in a visually appealing, Instagram-inspired interface for users who favor a more graphical consumption of content.
This integration works both ways—any content you post on Flashes automatically updates on your Bluesky timeline as well.
Flashes allows users to create visually striking posts containing up to four photos or a video lasting one minute, thus replicating a familiar social media experience.
Using Flashes as Your Go-To Instagram Alternative
Upon opening the Flashes app, you are greeted by a profile layout similar to Instagram. Your profile picture is displayed prominently at the top, alongside your username and follower counts. You can also include a brief description, akin to what is available on Instagram. Further customization options let you decide whether to display likes, lists, and feeds.
Your posts are displayed in a grid format within the app. To see these, navigate to the Media tab.
The first tab, labeled Portfolio, offers a curated grid for showcasing your best images and videos. Activate this feature by selecting the Edit Profile option.
Toggle the Enable Portfolio option and proceed to Portfolio Settings and select Manage Portfolio.
Here, you can choose the images to feature in your Portfolio. Once selected, return to your Profile to see them displayed in the first tab.
Switching to the Likes tab reveals all the content you’ve enjoyed on both Bluesky and Flashes, presented in a similar visual layout.
The Lists feature syncs with the lists you’ve created in Bluesky, allowing access to curated feeds of selected accounts.
Finally, the Feeds tab provides insight into any custom feeds you might have established with other tools like Graze or Skyfeed.
How to Create a New Post on Flashes
The user interface echoes Instagram’s layout, with a prominent + button for creating new posts located at the bottom of the screen.
Simply tap it to select an image or video from your gallery, or use the Photo or Video options at the bottom to capture new content.
On the next screen, you have the option to apply filters to your image by swiping through various styles before selecting Next.
Add a description and an ALT text if desired, configure your privacy settings, and press Publish to share your post.
Additionally, you can enhance your post with text, stickers, and more functionalities that set Flashes apart from Instagram. Once shared, the post appears on your Bluesky timeline, attracting likes and comments.
Exploring Your Flashes Feed
Finding your feed in Flashes is effortless. Just tap the Home button at the bottom and start scrolling.
Your default view showcases your Following feed, displaying posts from those you follow on Bluesky. For a wider range of content, tap Following at the top to explore alternative options.
Among these, the Trending section highlights popular posts, while Bluesky Images offers a collection of visually captivating content sourced from Bluesky. Alternatively, tap into the Discover option.
Searching on Flashes
The Feeds feature allows you to follow specific content based on your interests. For instance, a search for “books”can reveal upcoming releases and intriguing reads. Add relevant feeds to your list by tapping the Add button.
To view these feeds, navigate back to the Home tab, select the current feed at the top, and then click on Saved Feeds. Choose your desired feed from the options available.
Sending Direct Messages
Flashes also includes direct messaging features similar to those on Instagram. Simply navigate to the Home tab and tap the blue paper plane icon situated in the upper left corner to access your inbox.
In this respect, the layout closely mirrors that of Instagram, with the DM icon conveniently located within the feed area.
What About Short Videos?
Short-form videos, a hallmark of Instagram’s popularity through its Reels feature, are also available on Flashes, though they require a slight workaround. Navigate to Search -> Feeds and enter “video”to find the relevant options, including the one labeled “by Bluesky.”
After adding the feed, return to the Home tab and switch to the Video section.
With these essential features at your disposal, feel free to explore what Flashes has to offer. If it doesn’t quite meet your expectations, consider checking out our curated list of Instagram alternatives tailored for photographers.
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