Following Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, the landscape of the microblogging platform has transformed. While many users have…
Following Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, the landscape of the microblogging platform has transformed. While many users have loved the changes, a fair share feels it has lost the essence that made it their favourite social media platform.
Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder, has been working on another social media platform named Bluesky Social since 2019. The app is now available for Android users, even though interested users need an invite code to access the platform.
When many users are unhappy with Elon Musk’s Twitter, the thoughts of a decentralised social media platform owned and managed by Jack Dorsey seem very much welcomed to netizens. However, our research makes us wonder if Dorsey is intent on disrupting the social media space again or if he is just planning to rattle Elon Musk,
What are your thoughts on this? Are you Team Elon or Team Jack? Would you prefer a decentralized clone of Twitter?
This article presents a nuanced comparison of both applications, drawing on their user interface, functionality, user experience, compatibility, security, and privacy. Check it out.
Read Also: Twitter is Funding a Project, BlueSky, to Create a Decentralised Social Media Network
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Bluesky vs Twitter; a nuanced comparison
User Interface
It feels like Jack Dorsey has a strong affinity for blue, the dominant colour on both apps. However, when it comes to Bluesky’s layout, design, and aesthetics, there seems to be a striking resemblance to Twitter. It’s almost as if the same framework was used for both apps.
Navigating through Bluesky shouldn’t be a problem for those familiar with Twitter. It looks and feels like another version of Twitter with a different name. While this may be comforting to some users who appreciate the familiarity, it may not be as exciting for those looking for something new and innovative.
Overall, it remains to be seen how Dorsey’s new platform will differentiate itself from Twitter regarding features and functionality. However, for those who are already fans of Twitter and enjoy its user experience, it may be a natural fit.
Time will tell if Bluesky will carve out a unique niche or simply be seen as a Twitter clone.
Functionality
Signing up: When you first launch Bluesky, it may take a moment to load, which can be a tad confusing initially. However, signing up is a breeze. You simply select Bluesky as your hosting provider and enter an invite code, email address, and password. It’s important to note that the app is only for users 13 years and older. Next, you’ll choose a user handle, like a domain name.
After that, you’re ready and will be taken directly to the homepage. In contrast, signing up for Twitter is a much simpler process, typically requiring only an email address, password, and username that doesn’t resemble a domain name without a hosting provider request.
Page layout: The Bluesky layout resembles Twitter but with a subtle difference. Its Tab bar features only three pages: homepage, search, and notifications. Unlike Twitter, Bluesky lacks support for direct messages. Twitter’s Tab bar, on the other hand, has five pages, including spaces and direct messages, unlike the four on BlueSky.
Bluesky and Twitter share many similarities, including a profile image at the top left of the page and a settings button option. However, unlike Twitter’s sidebar, which offers numerous features like bookmarks, lists, and creator support, Bluesky’s sidebar doesn’t have any of those options, at least for now.
Features: For Bluesky, you can make posts with a character limit of 256 or pictures only. Bluesky’s profile page falls behind Twitter’s, as it lacks features like media and likes. Although user engagements include comments, likes, and reposts, it calls its posts “Posts” rather than “Tweets” (although it has the same buttons for reposting), and on your Bluesky profile, you’ll only see “Posts” and “Posts & Replies.”
Profile editing is also limited, with options to change only your display name, description, profile picture, and head banner. You can change your handle to a more personal domain name. However, unlike Twitter, there is no option to add this information, including locations, birthdays, or websites.
Bluesky is missing several features that Twitter offers, such as GIFs, hashtags, and polls. Additionally, its dark mode doesn’t work automatically, and there’s no web version available. On the bright side, it pushes its algorithm to show posts even from unfollowed accounts.
Also, since Bluesky doesn’t have advertisers, there are no ads to contend with. Furthermore, unlike Twitter, there are currently no plans for a paid subscription model. It’ll be interesting to see how Bluesky evolves in the future.
User Experience/Compatibility/Updates
Currently, the app is in beta mode and can only be accessed via an invite-only code. IOS, has a high rating of 4.1/5 and a requirement of iOS 13.0 up. It is over 20MB in size.
However, currently, Bluesky has over 100,000 downloads on the PlayStore. However, remember that downloading the app is free, but an invite code is necessary. Also, it requires an Android OS of 5.0 or higher. For just 6MB, you can get the Bluesky app on your phone
Security and Privacy
Bluesky uses the decentralized AT protocol, allowing for secure and private use, and the technology is available for anyone to create their social media platform. Bluesky allows users to easily port their accounts to other platforms built on the same protocol without losing data.
It also aims to promote transparency and public conversations, which is one of Elon Musk’s goals for Twitter, but it seems like the outcomes have been a little different from the intended goal. , With the direction of the app and the way AT protocol is seen as the key innovation, Bluesky could potentially change the social media landscape in ways that aren’t merely technical or abstract.