Proprietary services that offer news and social network aggregation often boast sleek interfaces and convenient features, drawing users in with promises of streamlined access to a multitude of content sources and social interactions. With algorithms finely tuned, these platforms aim to deliver personalized experiences, curating news articles, updates, and social interactions tailored to individual tastes. However, the closed nature of these services means we have to sacrifice transparency and control over our data, as well as the ability to interact seamlessly with a broader ecosystem of other platforms. As a result, while these proprietary services may offer convenience, they come with trade-offs in terms of privacy, interoperability, and the potential for algorithmic bias. One of the most popular services of this category is also Flipboard.

About Flipboard

From its inception as a social magazine in 2010 to its current status as a platform for discovering and sharing content, Flipboard has grown into one of the most used online platforms for content curation.

Flipboard aggregates content from social media, news feeds, photo sharing sites, and other websites, presents it in magazine format, and allows users to “flip” through the articles, images, and videos being shared. Readers can also save stories into Flipboard magazines. The company behind the service claims there have been millions of magazines created by users on Flipboard. The service can be accessed via web browser, or by a Flipboard application for Microsoft Windows and macOS, and via mobile apps for iOS and Android. The client software is available at no charge and is localized in 21 languages. Source: Wikipedia.

Fliboard joins the Fediverse

Lately it was announced that the Flipboard is starting to federate, which will add even more content to Mastodon users. But before we delve into what the interaction between the Fediverse and Flipboard means in practice, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves what exactly the Fediverse is. In simple terms, the Fediverse is a decentralized network of interconnected social platforms and services, all operating under a common set of protocols known as ActivityPub. Think of it as a vast web of communities, each with its own unique identity and purpose, but all able to communicate and interact with one another seamlessly. Flipboard joining the Fediverse, is a move that holds significant implications for both Flipboard users and netizens of the Fediverse alike adding more content to everyone using Mastodon, Pixelfed, PeerTube and other federated platforms.

More expansion for Mastodon users

Why does this expansion of the Fediverse matter, particularly for Mastodon users? The answer lies in the principles of choice, privacy, openness, and transparency that form the bedrock of the Fediverse. By joining this decentralized network, Flipboard is not only embracing these values but also empowering its users to connect with a broader community of like-minded individuals and explore a richer tapestry of content. Hopefully the next step for Flipboard is to open source its platform! For Mastodon users, in particular, Flipboard’s integration into the Fediverse represents an opportunity to discover curated content from Flipboard’s extensive network of publishers and creators, directly from their Mastodon interface. Whether it’s articles, videos, or podcasts, Mastodon users can now access Flipboard’s curated content seamlessly, enriching their browsing experience and fostering meaningful interactions within the Fediverse community.

Get conneted with Flipboard content through Mastodon

So how can you join the Fediverse and take advantage of this new age of the internet? It’s simple. Choose one of our managed hosting packages for Peertube or Mastodon, and start your journey towards a more interconnected online experience 🚀. With our managed hosting services, you can enjoy the benefits of the Fediverse without the hassle of setup and maintenance, allowing you to focus on what matters most—connecting with others and sharing your passions.

Mastodon Managed Hosting

Even if Flipboard is a proprietary service in its core, we believe that this integration will improve the openly published online discourse and content discovery. With each new connection forged and each barrier broken down, the Fediverse grows stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive. Our proposal for the Flipboard team: the majority of the Fediverse is powered by open source platforms - maybe you should also do the same and open source your code as well?