The microblogging platform Bluesky has received a significant update today, introducing several new features designed to enhance user experience. With this update, users are now able to upload longer videos, among other improvements. Continue reading for a detailed overview of what’s fresh on Bluesky.
What’s new in Bluesky: longer videos and more
According to a post from Bluesky, version 1.99 of the app includes several much-anticipated changes. One of the standout features is the capability to upload videos that last up to three minutes, a significant increase from the prior limit of 60 seconds.
Another notable enhancement pertains to Direct Messages (DMs). Users will now find a dedicated inbox for managing requests from unknown users. This change simplifies the process of filtering messages from known contacts. Additionally, if a user wishes to decline a DM from an unknown account, they can easily dismiss the conversation, a move Bluesky believes will help combat DM spam.
The update also improves the process for muting accounts directly from posts and reporting posts and accounts for moderation. Furthermore, the platform’s layout has been optimized for tablet use.
In December 2024, Bluesky began the rollout of its Trending Topics feature, allowing users to see the current hot topics of discussion. At this stage, trending topics are global and do not vary by region, and they are only accessible to English-speaking users. The platform assures that support for additional languages will be introduced in the future.
Currently, Bluesky boasts over 32 million active users. Although Threads (owned by Meta) has a larger user base, Bluesky has been making strides in user engagement in recent months.
The Bluesky app is available for free on the App Store and is compatible with iPhones running iOS 15.1 or later. Ensure you have the latest version downloaded to take advantage of all the new features.