Flipboard, the renowned news aggregator app, has announced the launch of its innovative “Surf” app, designed specifically for open social networks. The app allows users to create customized feeds that aggregate content from open social platforms like Mastodon and Bluesky, as well as blogs, podcasts, and YouTube videos.
Described by Flipboard CEO Mike McCue as a “browser for social networks,” the app supports a wide range of open protocols, including RSS, Bluesky’s AT Protocol, and ActivityPub, which powers decentralized platforms like Mastodon and Threads.
This launch follows Flipboard’s transition to the Fediverse, an ecosystem for decentralized social networks and internet services. Developed over two years, Surf empowers users to build personalized feeds tailored to their interests, such as artificial intelligence, gaming, photography, and more.
At launch, Surf offers over 30,000 curated topics for users to explore. It also enables the integration of multiple themes into unique feeds, while the home screen features organized categories like “Featured,” “Trending,” “Communities,” and “Expert Voices.” Additionally, users can customize feeds by filtering out replies or reposts.
Currently, Surf is available as a closed beta, accessible via an invite-only system. A desktop version is also in the pipeline, promising expanded accessibility in the near future.
