Pinksky, a new social networking app, has launched its Android version, bringing an Instagram-like experience to Bluesky users. The app, built by full-stack developer Ramon Souza, leverages Bluesky's open technology to offer a photo-centric platform that allows users to share photos and videos, engage with others, and connect with friends.

The launch of Pinksky on Android follows the app's initial release on iOS, where it has been offering a familiar Instagram-like look and feel. The app features user profiles with photos, a feed of photos and videos, and a Stories section, where posts remain visible for only 24 hours. Users can engage with posts by commenting and liking them, which syncs back to Bluesky's client app as well.

What sets Pinksky apart from other social networking apps is its focus on open technology. Built on top of Bluesky, which leverages the AT Protocol (or atproto), Pinksky is part of a growing wave of experimentation from the indie developer community. This open approach allows Pinksky to tap into users' social connections and feeds, but also limits the app to Bluesky's constraints, such as up to four photos per post and videos of up to one minute in length.

Souza, the developer behind Pinksky, was inspired to build the app due to his interest in open technologies like ActivityPub (the protocol powering Mastodon) and Nostr. He believes that Pinksky will appeal to a specific segment of users who are looking for a more classic, photo-sharing-focused Instagram experience. "There are several user segments within Instagram: those who watch a lot of reels, those who follow content creators, and those who want to connect with friends," Souza explained. "I think Pinksky fits into the third segment — focused more on photos and connections rather than viral and repetitive content."

For now, Pinksky is an experiment, but Souza is open to expanding the app's features and capabilities if there is further interest. This could include integration with other technologies, like Mastodon, Pixelfed, or Nostr, or running his own instance. However, any expansions would likely require the development of a business model, such as offering premium features for a fee.

Pinksky is not the only app attempting to court former Instagram users by offering a similar user interface built on open technology. Other apps, such as Flashes, Pixelfed, and Reelo, are also vying for users' attention. However, Pinksky's focus on photos and connections, combined with its open approach, may help it stand out in a crowded market.

As the social media landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Pinksky and other apps like it fare. Will they be able to attract a significant user base and provide a viable alternative to traditional social media platforms? Only time will tell, but for now, Pinksky's launch on Android is a promising development in the world of open technology and social networking.