Key Takeaways

  • HyperTexting simplifies web browsing, mimicking social media feeds.
  • Users can follow websites and share content easily.
  • The app aims to revive the personal web experience.
  • Available for free on iOS, with potential premium features in the future.

Introduction to HyperTexting

A new app named HyperTexting is changing the way people interact with the web, making it as straightforward to browse as scrolling through a social media feed. Now available for iOS, the app also allows users to update their personal websites with the ease of sending a text message.

Background and Inspiration

Caleb Hailey, a tech veteran with two decades of experience, created HyperTexting with a vision of returning to the early days of the internet when individuals owned their domains and published content freely. He noted that the rise of social media shifted the focus away from personal websites, making it easier for users to create pages on platforms like Facebook or Twitter.

Features of HyperTexting

HyperTexting incorporates familiar social media elements such as scrollable feeds, user profiles, and interaction buttons for following, liking, and commenting. Users can follow a variety of sources, including personal websites, blogs, and news outlets, and scroll through their content in a format reminiscent of social media.

Hailey’s Vision

Hailey’s motivation for developing HyperTexting stemmed from observing Twitter’s evolution. He expressed disappointment over the platform’s shift away from chronological timelines and the decreasing visibility of links. The COVID-19 pandemic further influenced his perspective, leading him to uninstall social media apps and turn to an old RSS reader for news.

Combining Publishing and Subscribing

HyperTexting aims to merge the publishing experience with content consumption. While it utilizes RSS technology behind the scenes, it does not emphasize this in its marketing. The app allows users to add their websites, enabling them to contribute to discussions without relying on centralized social media platforms.

Exploration and User Engagement

The app features an ‘Explore’ section that highlights trending content across the web, reminiscent of earlier social media discovery tools. An optional Safari extension allows users to add new websites to their HyperTexting feed while browsing.

Future of HyperTexting

Hailey believes that the web itself is the most effective decentralized social network. HyperTexting is currently free on iOS, with plans for potential premium features or sponsored content to sustain the app financially.