I'm not sure how I feel about the recommendation engine. Isn't this type of user analyzing behavior something that we were all dying to get away from in the first place?
I'm also curious how the prioritization works with the 'remove duplicate posts' feature.
The recommendation engine is 100% private and on-device + it can be turned off via settings. It's novel and more experimental, but I wanted it to be available for folks to get more relevant content
For the remove duplicate posts feature, it keeps whichever is 1st in the feed (so it depends which sort method is used). It only applies for posts with the same title and from the same OP. Another experimental feature, but this has been a particular point of annoyance that I've heard from folks (i.e. the same exact post filling up a feed)
Fair rebuttal. I appreciate that it can be turned off and that it's private and on-device. I'm still not sure that anyone wants that, but I could very well be wrong though.
What advantages does this have over something like Voyager or Jerboa (those are my go-to's right now for mobile)?
How does the desktop version compare to something like Alexandrite (currently still my favorite)?
The fact that it's private and on-device doesn't change the fundamental issue with it. It doesn't provide more relevant results than subscribing to communities you are interested in. All it does is create toxic echo chambers because you will get served the same type of content that is getting the most engagement over and over again.
It's the warped perception of people fleeing to Fediverse, not because it's Fediverse but because it's not Twitter or Reddit or another platform that got enshittified, and they just want to re-create the same toxic status quo they used to love.
All that said, I will always encourage open source development and good luck with your project.