If you’re an avid user of Mastodon or a former Twitter enthusiast from its heyday, you’re likely aware of Tapbots—the creators behind the beloved Tweetbot and Ivory applications. This week, the developers have exciting news for Bluesky users, revealing that they are currently developing a new app tailored for the platform.
Introducing ‘Phoenix’: The New Bluesky App Coming Soon to the App Store
Named “Phoenix,” the application aims to serve as a Tweetbot or Ivory alternative for Bluesky. This announcement was made official with the introduction of a new page on Tapbots’ website. Unfortunately, specific details about the app are limited for now, but it is expected to feature a design similar to its counterparts.
Following the discontinuation of Twitter’s API for third-party applications, the Tweetbot was retired. In response, Tapbots launched Ivory to cater to users desiring a similar experience when navigating Mastodon. The developers emphasize they have no intention of abandoning Ivory, but they acknowledge their user base is now divided between Mastodon and Bluesky.
“Mastodon is our home on the social web, and we intend to continue investing our time there. With Bluesky’s remarkable growth over the past year, our customer base has become bifurcated between the two platforms, and for us to thrive as a company, we must support both. Unfortunately, we cannot rely solely on Mastodon,” reads a statement on the Tapbots website.
While some users expressed a desire for a unified app supporting both Mastodon and Bluesky, the developers maintain that keeping the two applications separate will enhance the overall experience. They also assure users that the development of new features for Ivory will remain a priority.
“It would be misleading to claim that Ivory will be in full development while we focus on launching Phoenix. However, we opted not to commence Phoenix’s development until after the release of Ivory v2.3. Once Phoenix is up and running, we will ensure concurrent development, allowing both applications to benefit from the significant enhancements we have planned,” they added.
Phoenix for Bluesky is set to launch this summer, with a limited public beta available soon. In the meantime, users can explore Ivory for Mastodon, which is currently available on the App Store for $1.99 per month.
