The article discusses the explosion of new social networks and protocols that are emerging as alternatives to Twitter. The rise of these new platforms, such as Bluesky (formerly known as X), Tapestry, and others, has led to a proliferation of social media aggregation tools that aim to simplify the experience of tracking multiple platforms.
Here are some key points from the article:
- Bluesky opens to the public: CEO Jay Graber faces her biggest challenge yet in managing the platform’s growth and user experience.
- Tapestry: A new app from Twitterrific’s team that allows users to track social media, news, RSS feeds, and more in one place.
- Social aggregation tools: Apps like Tapestry, micro.blog, and Flipboard aim to simplify the experience of tracking multiple platforms by aggregating content from various sources.
- Open-source projects: Many open-source projects are also emerging to address the need for social media aggregation and search capabilities.
- New protocols and standards: The rise of new social networks has led to the development of new protocols and standards, such as ActivityPub, which aims to enable interoperability between different platforms.
The article concludes that we may be witnessing a rebuilding of the web in real-time, with multiple protocols, platforms, and ways to connect not just people but also their media and ideas. As this space continues to evolve, it’s likely that new social networks will emerge, and existing ones will adapt or fade away.
Some potential implications of these changes include:
- Increased fragmentation: The proliferation of new social networks may lead to increased fragmentation, making it harder for users to connect with others across multiple platforms.
- New business models: The rise of social aggregation tools and protocols may create new opportunities for businesses and developers to build innovative products and services that leverage these emerging technologies.
- Improved user experience: Social aggregation tools may help simplify the experience of tracking multiple platforms, making it easier for users to discover and engage with content across different networks.
Overall, the article highlights the rapid evolution of social media and the emergence of new platforms, protocols, and standards that are changing the way we interact online.