Flashes, a new photo-sharing app, aims to challenge Instagram’s dominance by offering a decentralized and algorithm-free experience. Launched on the App Store, Flashes leverages the same AT Protocol as Bluesky, promising a return to the simpler, chronologically-ordered feeds of Instagram’s early days.
Developed by Sebastian Vogelsang, the creator of the third-party Bluesky client Skeets, Flashes emphasizes user control and open social networking. The AT Protocol eliminates platform lock-in, allowing seamless content portability between platforms built on the same technology. This echoes the philosophy of the Fediverse and its ActivityPub protocol, similar to Meta’s Threads integration with platforms like Mastodon.
A sample Flashes post showcasing its clean and simple design.
Flashes allows users to share up to four pictures or minute-long videos per post. A portfolio mode enables curated homepage displays, while profile customization options include showcasing media, likes, feeds, and curated lists. Users can also save feeds for later viewing and personalize the four main navigation tabs.
Flashes media controls allowing users to upload photos and videos.
A key differentiator is Flashes’ algorithm-free feed system. Users see only content from followed pages, eliminating the potentially addictive algorithmic recommendations found on platforms like Instagram, which often prioritize engagement over user intent.
Flashes feed controls empowering users to curate their own timelines.
With over 50,000 feeds available, users can pin their favorites and explore diverse content. Flashes also offers creative filters and allows RAW photo downloads. Furthermore, content shared on Flashes is inherently compatible with Bluesky, extending reach to its approximately 30 million users.
Flashes presents a compelling alternative for users seeking a decentralized, algorithm-free photo-sharing experience. Its integration with the AT Protocol and Bluesky ecosystem positions it as a potential disruptor in the social media landscape.
