X, formerly known as Twitter, needs to step up as more competing apps are becoming better over time. Just as Threads is adding more features that make it a good alternative, Mastodon is also introducing features that will make it a better social networking site.
New Mastodon Lists
The decentralized social media site is among the short list of microblogging apps that can replace X. Mastodon continues to add more features to the app to make sure that it becomes a suitable alternative such as the new Lists feature.
The site's founder and CEO Eugen Rochko said that with the new update, Mastodon users now have the ability to "create custom lists and categorize your follows based on specific topics or interests, while removing them from your home feed."
This could be useful for people who follow various accounts that post specific topics. Through Lists, you can focus on posts regarding news, or create one with accounts that talk about cooking. That way, Mastodon becomes a more organized platform for content.
As Rochko said, it helps with "decluttering your home feed but also allows you to engage with certain topics on your own terms, when you are ready." Plus, with the redesign, it's easier to switch between your home feed and lists as well, as reported by The Verge.
The feature is already available on Android and the web, and will soon be launched on iOS devices as well. However, spokesperson Renaud Chaput said they are "currently refactoring the app to solve some performance and crash issues, so the work is taking a bit longer than on our Android version."
Mastodon's iOS and web teams are working steadily on new features and improvements, says the company founder. The feature is a significant update for Mastodon, especially since it is a microblogging site where people look to read more about their interests.
X already has the same feature and they have been reliable. However, it is no longer the app that it used to be. Many changes have been implemented which are urging users to move on to other apps. It's good to know that when it comes to categorizing accounts, you can head to Mastodon.
Threads is Catching Up
Meta's own microblogging site is also becoming a good alternative as X becomes unrecognizable to its users. Just recently, Threads has added an edit button, polls, and GIFs to the platform, all without having to pay for them.
X, on the other hand, is slowly inching towards becoming a pay-to-use app. The edit button, which should've been available to all users, is a part of X's Premium plan. Soon, anyone who wants to create a new account will have to pay $1 a year to keep it active.
Elon Musk just announced that X will be releasing two new Premium tiers, namely Basic and X Premium+. The former will be cheaper than the standard subscription fee while the latter will be more expensive, and of course, have more features to offer than just Premium.
