Mastodon, a decentralized social network, now has an official iPhone application. Mastodon, a nonprofit, launched today the iOS app. It is a supplement to an existing web version as well as several third-party apps that can be used on iOS, Android, or other platforms. Although it offers similar features to Mastodon's core service, the app is completely free and does not include Mastodon's wide local and federated timelines.Mastodon says the app is primarily designed to attract new users to the non-traditional social network. Mastodon is similar to Twitter, but it is built around independent communities (and ActivityPub protocol), rather than one central network. You can create an account in a community you choose, and then follow other members or message them. This is a unique design for modern social media platforms. Providing an official iOS entry point might help people get started. CEO Eugen Rochko said that plans are in place for an Android app similar to the one we have, but it is not yet available.Mastodons iOS App supports features such as polls and sensitive information filters. The app page also highlights the differences with larger services like Twitter by mentioning Mastodons ad free, chronological timeline.Rochko told The Verge that these timelines were suboptimal ways to find new content. Excluding them also decreased the risk of conflict with Apple. Some social networks have had to restrict what their users can access through their apps. Reddits iOS app allows you to opt in for NSFW content via the web, as an example. You can log in via the web or keep the iOS app you are using for a different feature.
