Bluesky, a decentralized social network, is introducing a new in-app video and music player for links, along with a novel "hide post" feature, as part of its App Version 1.61 rollout.
"There's now an in-app video and music player for links! YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Twitch embeds now play in the app. This will only trigger after a tap," the social media platform said in a statement.
A test 'Emergency Alert' is shown on the screen of a fan's smart phone, during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on April 23, 2023.
Bluesky's Latest Update
In this latest update, Bluesky users can now enjoy an enhanced multimedia experience with the introduction of an in-app video and music player for links.
This feature allows the seamless playback of embedded content from platforms like YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify, and Twitch directly within the Bluesky app.
Users will have control over the playback, as the content will only start playing after a deliberate tap, eliminating the inconvenience of autoplay. Additionally, Bluesky is introducing a "Hide Post" feature, allowing users to remove unwanted content from their feeds.
When activated, this feature masks the post from the user's view while ensuring it remains accessible behind a privacy shield for direct visits. It is worth noting that this feature is currently in beta, and hidden posts are not yet synchronized across multiple devices.
Fixing Bugs
Bluesky's development team has addressed several issues and introduced fixes in this update to enhance user experience. Bugs causing muted and blocked account listings to appear empty have been resolved.
An issue leading to an empty home screen has been fixed, along with a crash bug that sometimes occurs during interactions with threads. Additionally, the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service links are now more easily accessible for users, according to Bluesky.
This announcement follows Bluesky's recent decision to allow users to view posts on the platform without requiring a login. Although an invitation is still necessary to create an account and post content, TechCrunch reported that users can now read Bluesky posts through shared links.
This move allows publishers to link to or embed Bluesky posts in various online platforms, such as blogs. Furthermore, users can share Bluesky posts within individual or group chats. After debuting its iOS and Android applications in February, Bluesky has consistently garnered attention and achieved a user base of two million last month.
Although Bluesky currently operates as the exclusive instance on the AT Protocol, there are intentions to introduce federation "early next year." This strategic move signifies Bluesky's ambition to transform into a more inclusive social network resembling Mastodon, allowing users to select servers and transfer their accounts at their discretion.
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