New Video App Takes on TikTok

A fresh video-sharing app is stepping into the spotlight. Skylight, a startup with big dreams, is ready to challenge TikTok. This new app is not just another copycat. It is built on a unique technology called AT Protocol. This same technology powers Bluesky, a social network with over 33. 8 million users. Skylight is the brainchild of Tori White and Reed Hermeyer. They wanted to create a platform that wouldn't be easily shut down. The app lets users create short videos, edit them in-app, and share them with friends. Users can also like, comment, and follow others. One of the coolest parts is that videos posted on Skylight can be seen by users on Bluesky and other apps using the same technology. The journey of Skylight began when Tori White, a former travel influencer, started worrying about losing her TikTok community. She and Reed Hermeyer saw the potential in AT Protocol. They decided to build an app that could stand up to bans and restrictions. Mark Cuban and Leslie Feinzaig’s Graham & Walker Venture Fund saw the promise in Skylight and backed the startup. The app is already available on the Google Play Store and has just hit the Apple App Store. It is still in beta, but users are already loving it. Skylight is more than just a TikTok clone. It aims to offer a customizable feed and unique gestures beyond the usual swiping and scrolling. The app is also working on adding features like sounds, duets, stitching, bookmarks, and playlists. Tori White has been documenting the app's development on TikTok, gaining nearly 50, 000 followers. Many of these followers have become early testers, helping to shape the app's future. The app supports video uploads of up to three minutes, giving users more time to express themselves. The founders of Skylight were drawn to AT Protocol because it seemed reliable. They didn't see the constant crashes that plagued early Twitter. This gave them confidence in the technology. They believe that Skylight can be a "ban-proof" social app. The app's success so far shows that there is a demand for a decentralized, open alternative to TikTok. As Skylight continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how it evolves and what new features it adds. The future of social media is looking more open and decentralized, and Skylight is at the forefront of this change.