Tapbots, the developer known for its popular Mastodon client Ivory, has announced plans to release a new app called Phoenix, designed specifically for the Bluesky social network. This decision comes as a response to the evolving social media landscape, where users have migrated to various platforms following changes in Twitter's ownership and direction.The company acknowledged that its user base is now split between Mastodon and Bluesky, making it challenging to sustain its business with a single app. "For us to continue to thrive as a company, we must support both," Tapbots stated on its website. "Unfortunately, we can't survive on Mastodon alone."While Tapbots remains committed to supporting the fediverse, the open social web that includes Mastodon, the development of Ivory will be temporarily slowed down to prioritize the launch of Phoenix. The company believes that creating separate apps for each network will provide a better user experience than attempting to combine them into one.Phoenix is expected to launch sometime this summer, with a limited public alpha phase preceding the official release. Although Tapbots has not yet announced the pricing model for Phoenix, it is likely to adopt a subscription model similar to Ivory, which offers a free app with in-app purchases for premium features.This move by Tapbots reflects the ongoing shifts in the social media landscape and the challenges faced by developers in catering to a fragmented user base. By developing dedicated apps for different networks, Tapbots aims to provide users with the best possible experience while ensuring the sustainability of its own business.
