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Tumblr backs Tapestry, a timeline app for the open social web
Tumblr has financially supported Tapestry, a newly launched app aimed at organizing feeds from across the open web, including RSS and social media platforms. Launched as a Kickstarter in January 2024, Tapestry raised over $177,000. Tumblr's backing will help develop a macOS version. The app enhances user control over information feeds, aligning with the growing trend of the open social web.
Key points
- Tumblr has backed Tapestry with a grant to support its development.
- Tapestry raised over $177,000 through Kickstarter, launched in January 2024.
- The app organizes various content sources into customized feeds, enhancing user experience.
- Tapestry supports platforms like RSS, Bluesky, Mastodon, and YouTube.
- The backing aligns with the rise of the open social web, allowing users greater control over content without algorithms.
- Tapestry introduces a sponsorship program focusing on indie creators rather than traditional ads.
Why it matters
- The trend towards open social protocols mirrors the growth of decentralized social networks like Mastodon and Bluesky.
- Tumblr's acquisition by Automattic signals a shift in traditional platforms towards integrating open web functionalities.
- The increasing demand for user control in social media aligns with broader 2025 IT trends of personalization and open-source technologies.
Tumblr's investment in Tapestry exemplifies a pivotal shift towards user empowerment in content consumption, reinforcing the burgeoning open social web while supporting independent creators.