Bluesky Acquires Graysky, Developer of Popular Third-Party App

Bluesky Acquires Graysky Developer to Enhance Official App

Samuel Newman Joins Bluesky’s Front-End Team

In a strategic move, Bluesky, the decentralized rival to Twitter/X, has hired Samuel Newman, a London-based software engineer and creator of the popular third-party Bluesky client Graysky. Newman will now contribute his expertise to the development of Bluesky’s official app, working alongside the front-end team.

Uncertain Future for Graysky App

With Newman’s transition to Bluesky, the future of the Graysky app remains uncertain. In a recent post, Newman stated:

I will continue to keep the app alive and maintained for the time being, but will no longer add any “ambitious new features,” as I’ll be putting my efforts into “making the official app the best it can be.”

However, Newman is open to inquiries from developers interested in taking over the Graysky app, which could prove to be a promising opportunity if Bluesky gains significant traction as a competitor to platforms like Twitter/X, Threads, and Mastodon. Since its public launch last month, Bluesky has amassed 5.18 million registered users, with approximately half actively posting on the platform.

Graysky’s Unique Features and Forward-Thinking Approach

Graysky stood out as one of the first third-party apps for Bluesky, catering to both iOS and Android users. The app enhanced the default Bluesky experience by introducing features such as GIF support, inline translation, easy access to user likes, a feeds-first layout, hashtag support, and more. In late 2023, Graysky also introduced Trending Topics and a Pro subscription to monetize the app. By the end of the year, Graysky had surpassed 20,000 downloads and was working on implementing additional Twitter-like features, such as drafts, bookmarks, muted words, polls, and lists.

Bringing Graysky’s Best Features to Bluesky’s Official App

With Newman joining Bluesky, users can expect the official client to incorporate some of Graysky’s standout features. Although not all features will be ported, Newman aims to bring the best aspects of Graysky to Bluesky. Additionally, he expressed interest in developing an iPad app for the platform.

As Bluesky continues to grow and attract users, the acquisition of Samuel Newman and his expertise from developing Graysky will undoubtedly contribute to the platform’s ongoing development and success.