The long road to launch today began back in October 2014 when Reddit acquired third-party iOS app Alien Blue, making it an official product. Today, Alien Blue will disappear. Reddit has decided not to go ahead with its initial plan to revamp the app, instead fully overhauling it and rebranding as “Reddit for iPhone.” The app is also available for Android devices.
For now, the apps are available only in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. They feature a fresh and modern design and an extensive feature list, although some of the capabilities of Alien Blue have been lost along the way.
Reddit’s new smartphones app, launched 07/04/2016
Reddit
The app looks radically different than the main Reddit website and accompanying mobile version. The design looks far more appropriate for modern smartphones, incorporating simple navigation controls, inline images, careful use of typography and colour and large banner images for Reddit community pages.
The app supports two different viewing modes, compact or cards, and a selection of themes. Currently, only two are available, bright white and a night-oriented dark grey and black, but Reddit says more are on the way to let you customise the app to your taste.
Reddit’s new smartphones app, launched 07/04/2016
Reddit
Reddit is confident the app will appeal to users who have been waiting years for an official mobile client. The fast-paced nature of technology has got ahead of the hugely popular community discussion site, leaving it without an app despite mobile now being its largest platform.
The launch reflects the changes ongoing at Reddit in the wake of last year’s user revolt over moderator changes and subsequent resignation of interim CEO Ellen Pao. The company is now trying to give back to its users, delivering a mobile app designed to be useful to everyone from casual readers to power users and community leaders.
Reddit is confident users will enjoy the new app. It is quick to talk about its performance, claiming an extreme attention to detail has enabled it to create a polished, cohesive and fast experience. The download is just 4.8MB in size, making it accessible to as many people as possible even when using a phone with limited storage.
Reddit’s new smartphones app, launched 07/04/2016
Reddit
“This is the beginning of our journey with you, our app users,” said Reddit’s VP of Consumer Product, Alex Le. “For everyone joining us on this ride, you can expect a lot of updates and new features that we’ll be rolling out to mobile first. Our first feature releases are getting prepared now and we’ll be updating at least once a month.”
Le assured users of existing third-party apps that nothing will be changing for them. Reddit’s public-facing API that allows developers to create apps using its platform will remain free to both developers and users.
