HyperTexting is a new iOS app that reimagines how people interact with the open web by turning websites, blogs, newsletters, and podcasts into a scrollable feed similar to popular social media platforms like Facebook or X. Created by Caleb Hailey, a seasoned tech veteran, the app aims to restore the early internet vision where individuals owned their own domains and published content freely.
Reinventing Web Browsing with Familiar Social Features
Unlike algorithm-driven social media, HyperTexting offers an algorithm-free experience where users can easily follow and scroll through articles, essays, and multimedia posts from their favourite websites. The app incorporates familiar social elements such as user profiles, follow buttons, and comment features, making the open web feel more accessible and engaging.
Hailey was motivated to build HyperTexting after observing the decline of Twitter’s chronological timeline and the rise of algorithmic feeds that prioritise growth over content discovery. The app uses RSS technology behind the scenes but presents it in a user-friendly way that appeals to mainstream users who prefer scrollable feeds over traditional RSS readers.
Empowering Users to Publish and Participate
One standout feature of HyperTexting is its ability to simplify posting to personal websites. Users can link their own blogs or newsletters, built on platforms like WordPress, Ghost, or static site generators such as Hugo and HyperTexting’s own HyperTemplates. This encourages decentralised publishing, allowing users to contribute to conversations without relying on centralised social media platforms.
Additionally, the app includes an Explore section highlighting trending content across the web, reminiscent of earlier discovery tools like Nuzzel. A Safari extension also facilitates adding new websites to follow directly while browsing.
Looking Ahead
Currently free to download, HyperTexting may introduce premium subscriptions or sponsored posts to support ongoing development. Hailey emphasises that the app is an experiment in leveraging the existing decentralised social network of the World Wide Web rather than chasing the dominance of centralised platforms.
While RSS remains a powerful but niche tool, HyperTexting’s approach could broaden its appeal by combining subscription and publishing in a familiar, social media-like format. This offers a promising path for users seeking a healthier, more open web experience.
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Disclaimer: This article provides an overview of HyperTexting’s concept and features based on publicly available information. It does not endorse specific products or guarantee outcomes related to web publishing or content discovery.