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Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey arrives at the “Tech for Good” Summit in Paris, France May 15, 2019.

Charles Platiau | Reuters

Elon Musk’s Twitter is facing new competition from a rival called Bluesky, a so-called decentralized communications app that is backed by Twitter co-founder and twice-former CEO, Jack Dorsey.

Musk’s Twitter makeover has sparked new interest in decentralized social networks. Unlike Twitter under Musk, or Facebook under CEO and controlling shareholder Mark Zuckerberg, decentralized social media platforms have no single owner or leader and are not beholden to commercial or financial interests.

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Advocates say that decentralized projects are less likely to collect and sell users’ data and less susceptible to censorship.

Bluesky has exploded in popularity over the past few months, according to data provided to CNBC by market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, although it still lags far behind Twitter in total download volume.

The social messaging app had 628,000 mobile downloads in April, representing a 606% rise from March when it became available on Android in addition to iOS. Meanwhile, Twitter had 14.9 million app downloads in April, which is a 2% increase from the 14.6 million downloads it accumulated in March.

The number of Twitter mobile app downloads actually declined 18% in February to 14.05 million from 17.2 million in January. Bluesky officially debuted on iOS in February, generating 11,000 downloads in that month.

Bluesky appears to be gaining more attention than decentralized messaging app Mastodon, which attracted a lot of interest in November as a possible alternative to Twitter. In April, for instance, Mastodon only had 90,000 downloads, the Sensor Tower data showed.

Why decentralization?

Since Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion last year, he has fundamentally changed what Jack Dorsey’s company built, adding new subscription-only features, allowing controversial users back on to the platform, and making deep staffing cuts.

The social media app has also suffered a number of service outages, which happened to coincide with reports that Musk closed a major data center in Sacramento and was downsizing another Atlanta data center facility in an effort to cut costs.

Bluesky, which is currently invitation-only, underscores how Dorsey is now actively looking to disrupt what he helped create. Dorsey, who remains the CEO of payments platform Block (formerly called Square), is going head-to-head with Musk with two Twitter alternatives.

Bluesky was originally incubated within Twitter back in 2019 when Dorsey was still CEO. The app runs on a decentralized networking technology called the AT Protocol. In theory, the protocol could power future social apps, enabling people to maintain their identities across multiple apps.

In February 2022, members of the Bluesky project created the Bluesky Public Benefit LLC, with Jay Graber as CEO and Dorsey as one of the founding board members. The company announced on Twitter in April 2022 that it received $13 million in funding “to ensure we have the freedom and independence to get started on R&D.”

Then, last December, Dorsey donated 14 bitcoin, around $245,000 at the time, to a decentralized social media project called Nostr, that lets users own their online identity. Damus is an app built on top of this network, and it’s been live on the app store for months. It has also integrated the bitcoin Lightning Network, meaning that it lets users exchange bitcoin directly over the network without needing another app.

Many of Block’s senior leadership team is using the platform, as is the bitcoin-friendly Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo.

Other decentralized social projects that have been getting more attention include Mastodon, as well as Lens and Farcaster, which are both Twitter substitutes built on blockchains.

A lot of these platforms have no algorithms to recommend particular content — a sore point for some Twitter users who complain they’re seeing less relevant content in the “For You” tab of Twitter since Musk took over. They don’t sell ads, and don’t collect and sell user data, which are the classic ways that social networks make money.

The only drawback is scale.

Meta boasts nearly 3 billion active users of its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter had more than 200 million as of its last earnings report as a public company. That means it’s easy for new users to find their friends, contacts in their areas of interest, and other useful or interesting people to connect with. Bluesky has about 50,000 users, according to its website.

It is also unclear how these platforms will generate money.

It is possible that Bluesky, for example, could turn to subscriptions to monetize operations, but the team hasn’t given many hints. Bluesky has been mostly sharing updates and some details of its underlying technology infrastructure as opposed to any financial plans, according to recent blog posts.

The other drawback is the user experience. The front-end apps built atop these decentralized platforms are often clunky, not professional-looking or easy to use. As of now, Bluesky’s user interface appears to be less confusing for newbies to engage with, but it’s still being tested and developed, so it’s unclear how the broader public will respond to its design.

So why make the move from a centralized platform with a nice user experience to a decentralized platform that’s hard to use? Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen said in a panel at ETHDenver that it all comes down to self governance.

“We’ve kind of come to accept that we are subjects of a king, like Mark [Zuckerberg], or Elon [Musk], and we can either follow their rules or leave,” Haugen said. “And there’s an interesting opportunity for people to be citizens of their platforms, having an ability to vote, but also having responsibilities that come with that.” 

She also made the point that the problem with social media today largely comes down to incentives and control. 

Right now, social media platforms are ad supported, which means they make their money by keeping users on them for as long as possible. Decentralized platforms have no such incentive, and can give the people who make their livelihoods on these platforms the ability to influence the rules that govern them and how their content is distributed.

Dorsey takes on Musk and Twitter in brewing social platform showdown

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Lectric XPress 750 e-bikes get free $557 bundle at $1,399 in April sale, Jackery units up to $1,900 off in flash savings, Kärcher, more

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April 3, 2025

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Lectric XPress 750 e-bikes get free 7 bundle at ,399 in April sale, Jackery units up to ,900 off in flash savings, Kärcher, more

Today’s Green Deals are led by Lectric’s newly launched April Showers Sale which has up to $654 in free add-on gear accompanying e-bikes, with the models aside from the XP 3.0 e-bikes retaining their earlier price cuts. Among the lineup though, the Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes are getting the largest bundle to date with $557 in free gear at $1,399. Right behind it is the latest collection of Jackery flash offers through April 6, like the Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station at $499, among others. You can also score the popular Kärcher K1700 Electric Pressure Washer right now for one of its best prices ever at $105, as well as the Greenworks 3-tool combo that bundles a 80V 21-inch Lawn Mower, 13-inch String Trimmer, and 730 CFM Leaf Blower – all at a new $560 low, but only for the rest of the day. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Segway Ninebot F3 eKickScooter preorder savings, Anker’s SOLIX weekend flash sale, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Lectric’s April sale offers largest bundle ever on XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes at $1,399 (Up to $654 in FREE add-ons)

After the exciting April Fool’s Day flash sale, Lectric has switched gears to its longer-lasting April Showers Sale that is offering up to $654 in free gear along with e-bike purchases. Of course, the XP 3.0 e-bikes are prominently featured once again, this time with $500 bundles, and we’re seeing the other models retain the price cuts from previous sales, but I wanted to take the time to shine a spotlight on the XPress 750 Commuter e-bike for $1,399 shipped that is getting $557 in free gear. This bundle would normally run you $1,956 in all, with this being the largest package to accompany the e-bike that we have seen to date. Along with your purchase, you’ll be getting a rear cargo rack, a suspension seat post, fenders to go over both wheels, an Elite headlight, adjustable rear mirrors, an accordion-style folding bike lock, a wide saddle, a phone mount, and a 1.5L top tube bag.

Coming with the option for a high-step or step-through frame, the XPress 750 e-bike is a solid choice for commuters who are looking for significant travel support, with my own regularly getting me across Brooklyn, never once having me concerned about running out of battery. It’s been given a 750W rear hub motor (that peaks at 1,310W), a removable 48V 14Ah battery, and comes supported by five levels of PAS that themselves are supported by a torque sensor – all to provide you with up to 60 miles of travel at 20 MPH speeds, which can go to 28 MPH should you live in a state that allows it. Of course, for those wanting to ride on pure electricity, there is a throttle here, though keep in mind it will lessen your mileage.

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There’s plenty of features that deserve some praise, like the hydraulic mineral oil brakes, the front suspension, and the puncture-resistant tires – all of which provide a heightened riding experience. But that’s not all, as there’s also the 7-geared freewheel alongside the Shimano derailleur, the integrated headlight and taillight, a thru-axle wheel attachment system for tool-free installations, the hidden cable routing system, removable pedals (which have helped more than you can guess), and a full-color display that has a USB-A port to charge your devices as you ride. Considering the sizeable package of additional gear, you’ll be loaded up and ready to cruise on through the seasons ahead.

Lectric April Shower Sale XPedition 2.0 bundles:

Lectric April Shower Sale XP 3.0 e-bike offers with $500 bundles:

Lectric April Shower Sale ONE LR e-bike with $467 bundle

Lectric April Shower Sale XP Trike with $420 bundle

Lectric April Shower Sale XPeak 2.0 bundles:

Lectric April Shower Sale XP Lite 2.0 bundles:

Jackery power station flash sale

Jackery takes up to $1,900 off a selection of home and outdoor backup power solutions starting from $90

Jackery is having a short-term flash sale through April 6 on a selection of power stations that can have you geared up for spring travels alongside any unexpected emergencies. Among the pool of offers, a solid choice for outdoor ventures is the brand’s Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station for $499 shipped. It would normally cost you $799 to grab it at full price, but you’ll be getting a 38% markdown here while the savings last, with things matching over at Amazon, just be sure to clip the on-page coupon. While we have seen it go as low as $399, which was last seen during Black Friday sales, you’ll be getting $300 in savings at one of the lowest prices we have tracked. Head below to see all the other deals during this sale.

One of three newer v2 models, Jackery’s Explorer 1000 v2 delivers serious power output considering its more compact design, with up to 1,500W being sent to your devices/appliances normally while being able to surge to 3,000W for larger backup needs. All this is coming from its 1,070Wh LiFePO4 capacity through its seven port options: one USB-A, two USB-Cs, and three ACs, as well as a car port.

Plugging it into a wall outlet will give you back a full capacity in about 1.6 hours, or you could reach it in just on hour by activating its emergency charging feature through the smart controls on its companion app. There’s also the 600W maximum solar input that you can utilize to recharge from the sun’s rays. It comes rated for a minimum of 4,000 life cycles, meaning that you can charge and discharge it every day for nearly 11 years of backup support.

Jackery’s other power station flash sale offers:

Jackery’s accessory flash sale offers:

Karcher K1700 electric pressure washer

Kärcher’s K1700 2,125 PSI electric pressure washer hits one of its best prices ever at $105

Amazon is now offering the Kärcher K1700 Electric Pressure Washer for $104.99 shipped. Coming down off its more recent $170 rate, which is down from its $200 price tag, discounts over the last year have mainly been keeping things above $120, though we did spy it dropping to $106 at the end of February. Today though, you’re looking at one of the best rates ever, with the 38% markdown here (48% off its $200 pricing) giving you back $65 at the third-lowest overall price we have tracked – $2 and $5 above the lowest prices.

There’s always plenty of grime left over after winter that calls for some spring cleaning, and this pressure washer from Kärcher is ready to power you through it all with up to a maximum 2,125 PSI and 1.46 max GPM flow rate. It features an on/off foot switch for easier operations, as well as an onboard 0.5-gallon detergent tank for soap application needs. There’s even a detachable storage container that you can use to keep the 20-foot hose, wand, and three included nozzles organized.

Greenworks 3-tool combo

Tackle lawn duties with Greenworks’ 80V mower, trimmer, and blower combo at a new $560 low (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is starting off April with the best rate yet on the Greenworks 80V 21-inch Lawn Mower, 13-inch String Trimmer, and 730 CFM Leaf Blower Combo that is down at $559.99 shipped through the rest of the day. This 3-tool package typically carries a $1,100 price tag outside of discounts, which we saw fall as low as $600 over 2024 and has come down to $570 so far in 2025 – until today. You’re looking at a 49% markdown through the rest of the day, saving you $540 at a new all-time low price. It’d be difficult to find this exact combo elsewhere, including Amazon, where a less advanced 3-tool combo is the closest match at $550.

With spring finally here, this 3-tool bundle is a solid choice for folks who need to tackle various jobs outside your home. The mower comes with an 80V brushless motor for more efficient operation that is powered by the included 4.0Ah battery for up to a 1/2 acre of runtime on one full charge, as well as offering seven cutting height levels for your grass. The string trimmer cuts in a 13-inch swath and sports the brand’s dual bump feed head for easier line replacement in the middle of work, which can go on for up to 80 minutes with the battery. You’ll get up to 730 CFM of air flow (about 170 MPH) from the leaf blower, which does have a variable speed control for easier handling. And what’s always nice about ecosystems like Greenworks’ is that you can also swap out the battery for any others you may have, not to mention losing the noise and fumes from gas-guzzling models.

We also spotted a bunch of Greenworks’ electric pressure washers down at some of their lowest prices too, with the GPW2003 2,000 PSI model, especially, hitting a new $135 low. You can also get your lawn’s soil back to proper health for the coming months with the brand’s 13A 14-inch Corded Dethatcher and Scarifier at $128.

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Ford’s new strategy includes big discounts, employee pricing for all, and free EV chargers

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April 3, 2025

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Ford's new strategy includes big discounts, employee pricing for all, and free EV chargers

Ford-discounts

Ford’s vehicles are about to get a whole lot cheaper. With its new “From America, For America” campaign, launched Thursday, Ford is rolling out steep discounts, including employee pricing for all, and a free home charger for EV buyers.

The new campaign promotes Ford’s “American-made” vehicles with some pretty sweet deals. Ford is offering employee pricing on most 2024 and 2025 model vehicles.

All Ford and Lincoln models except the F-150 Raptors, 2025 Super Duty pickups, and Expedition are included. The Lincoln Navigator and Ford’s fleet vehicles are also excluded.

Ford is also extending its “Power Promise” promo, which offers EV shoppers a free Level 2 home charger (plus standard installation), 24/7 live electric vehicle support, roadside assistance, and an 8-year, 100,000-battery warranty.

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The program was initially launched in October, but Ford extended it through the end of March after seeing an uptick in EV sales.

Ford’s Power Promise now runs through June 30 and is available for any new EV purchase or lease, including the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning pickup.

Ford-discounts
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)

According to Rob Kaffl, Ford’s director of US sales, the company is able to offer steep discounts because it has the inventory. Kaffl told The Detroit Free Press, “We’re in a very competitive position in our stock.”

With “a lot of uncertainty in the market right now” amid Trump’s new tariffs taking effect, Kaffl said Ford’s new “From America, For America” will provide some security.

Ford-Mach-E-top-selling-EV
2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E (Source: Ford)

How significant are the discounts? Well, it will depend on the vehicle’s cost. A Ford dealer (who asked to remain anonymous) said an F-150 XLT hybrid with an MSARP of $65,000 would cost $55,000 under the employee pricing plan. The price of an Escape ST SUV, with an MSRP of $36,300, would be cut to $33,000.

2025-Ford-F-150-Lightning-interior
2025-Ford-F-150-Lightning

Ford introduced the 2025 F-150 Lightning last week, with a new “Dark Elements” package and improved charging features. It still starts at $62,995.

The 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E starts at $36,495 and is available in RWD (260-mile range) or eAWD (240-mile range). Upgrading to the extended battery will cost an extra $5,500 (eAWD only).

Electrek’s Take

The new promo comes after Ford reported on Tuesday that US sales fell by 1.3% in the first quarter. Despite limited inventory, the Mustang Mach-E is off to a record start in 2025, with over 11,600 units sold, outpacing the Chevy Equinox EV and Honda Prologue.

GM reported US sales growth of nearly 17% in the first three months of 2025. After EV sales doubled to 31,887, GM remained the number two seller of EVs in the US behind Tesla, topping Ford’s 22,550.

Although Ford has the largest manufacturing footprint in the US of any legacy automaker, CEO Jim Farley says it’s still not immune to the tariffs.

Ford imports about 21% of the vehicles it sells in the US. GM imports around 46%. Both are looking to get ahead of any potential impacts.

Ready to snag the savings on Ford’s electric vehicles while they are still here? You can use our links below to find deals on the Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E models in your area.

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Tesla’s only growing business was just kneecapped by Trump’s tariffs

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April 3, 2025

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Tesla's only growing business was just kneecapped by Trump's tariffs

Tesla Megapack project pillswood UK

Trump’s new tariffs on China have just kneecapped Tesla’s only growing business: energy storage, which uses battery cells from China.

Tesla released its delivery results for Q1 2025 yesterday, which were quite disastrous. At 336,000 electric vehicle deliveries, they were 40,000 units below the consensus and about 20,000 units below what even the most pessimistic analysts expected.

But there was one silver lining: Tesla reported having deployed 10 GWh of energy storage – a new record for a first quarter.

While Tesla’s electric vehicle business entered a downturn in 2024, which is now accelerating in 2025, Tesla’s energy business, which primarily consists of selling Megapacks and Powerwalls, has been consistently growing.

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The bulk of this growth can be attributed to Tesla’s production ramp at its Lathrop Megafactory, where it produces the Megapack, and in the launch and production ramp of the Powerwall 3 with LFP battery cells.

Tesla now uses LFP battery cells from China to build these energy storage systems in California and Nevada.

According to the latest information, President Trump’s new tariffs announced yesterday are resulting in 54% tariffs on importing Chinese battery cells into the US.

This will significantly increase the prices of Tesla’s Powerwall and Megapack products, which should reduce the market.

The Biden administration had already announced an increase to 25% tariffs on Chinese battery cells meant for energy storage, coming in 2026.

Tesla was already bracing for the new tariff, but the Trump administration has dramatically accelerated the timeline and increased the tariffs. The administration has confirmed that the tariffs are stacking up on top of each other, which would mean 54% for goods coming from China.

The company is believed to almost exclusively use LFP battery cells from China’s CATL in its stationary energy storage products.

With the upcoming changes in 2026, Tesla was likely preparing for the change. Last year, there were rumors that Tesla was looking to establish a LFP battery plant in the US in partnership with CATL, but the plans have yet to materialize.

Tesla has also recently started production at a new Megafactory in Shanghai to produce the Megapack. The battery systems coming out of that plant are expected to be shipped to markets outside of the US and should enable Tesla to stay competitive outside the US.

Although, as we previously reported, Tesla is starting to face intense competition from its own battery suppliers for these products, CATL and BYD, which have both recently unveiled products to compete with the Megapack.

Tesla has also recently announced plans to build a second Megafactory in the US to build more Megapacks, but it’s not clear how those plans are going to be affected by the new tariffs.

Electrek’s Take

Since last year, stationary energy storage has been Tesla’s only growing business unit, and I was already worried about it because of increased competition. BYD and CATL already have a hold on LFP cells going into the Megapack, and now they are making their own Megapack products with their own cells.

On the consumer side, we recently reported that Tesla’s brand issues also extend to the Powerwall.

Now, Tesla has to worry about tariffs significantly increasing the price of its Megapacks and Powerwalls in its biggest market: the US.

There’s a chance that Tesla has accumulated some inventory in anticipation of the tariffs, but unless they are removed, which is not impossible considering how volatile the administration has been about implementing its promised tariffs, it will result in massive Megapack and Powerwall price increases.

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