Threads, the upcoming social app from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is poised to be the most serious competitor to Twitter. With its text-focused approach, Threads has the potential to become the next go-to social network, surpassing alternatives like Mastodon and Bluesky. In this article, we will delve into everything we know about Threads so far.
When Will Threads Be Released?
Meta’s Twitter alternative, Threads, is expected to launch this week. The app, which is already garnering attention, has a preview page available on Apple’s App Store. According to the listing, Threads is slated for release on Thursday, July 6.
How Can You Get the Threads App?
While the Threads app is not yet available for download, iPhone users can pre-order it by visiting the provided link on their phones. This ensures that the app will automatically download once it’s released. There were also indications that the app briefly appeared on Google Play over the weekend, suggesting a possible simultaneous release for both Android and iOS platforms.
As of now, searching for “Threads” on your phone’s app store will yield an unrelated app with the same name, which has no affiliation with Meta’s Threads.
How Will the Threads App Work?
According to the App Store description, Threads is an extension of Instagram. This means that if you already have an Instagram account, you can use the same login credentials for Threads. The app’s screenshots indicate that you may have the option to add your Instagram followers to your Threads account, simplifying the onboarding process.
The user experience on Threads appears to be similar to Twitter, albeit with a potentially calmer ambience. The focus seems to be on text and images, marking a departure from Instagram’s current emphasis on videos. Additionally, the app allows you to restrict replies to your posts to only the people you follow or those mentioned in the post.
Is Threads Free to Use?
Threads will be available as a free download, but it is likely to offer a Meta Verified service similar to the one launched for Facebook and Instagram in the UK in May. This service, which costs £9.99 per month when purchased on the website or £11.99 through the iOS and Android apps, verifies your identity and provides proactive account monitoring to combat spoof accounts.
While this feature shares similarities with Twitter’s contentious Blue subscription, it has generated far less controversy on Instagram.
When Did Meta Start Developing Threads?
Meta confirmed its work on a Twitter alternative in an interview with The Verge last month, revealing that coding for the app began in January. According to Meta’s Chief Product Officer, Chris Cox, creators and public figures have expressed interest in a platform that is well-managed, trustworthy, and reliable for content distribution. Prominent figures like Oprah Winfrey and the Dalai Lama are among those who have shown interest in Threads.
Privacy Concerns with Threads
Some concerns have been raised about the privacy of the upcoming Threads app. However, the App Store listing suggests that the app will have a privacy policy similar to Instagram’s. Meta will publish supplementary privacy policy and terms of use documents for Threads, which were not available at the time of publishing. We will review these documents and update this article with any relevant information regarding privacy.
Is Twitter at Risk from Threads?
Twitter’s volatile nature has driven many users to seek alternatives. Recently, owner Elon Musk announced limitations on the number of tweets users could view each day. Initially, the limit was set at 600 posts per day for non-Twitter Blue subscribers and 500 for new users. Paid users faced a limit of 6,000 viewed tweets as a measure against data scraping and system manipulation.
However, these restrictions were later revised, allowing unverified accounts to view up to 1,000 tweets and verified accounts up to 10,000 tweets. Additionally, changes are on the horizon for the official desktop Twitter manager app, Tweetdeck, which will become accessible only to verified users starting in early August.
The increasingly restrictive environment on Twitter paves the way for Meta’s Threads to gain a significant advantage in its launch. By offering a more user-friendly and controlled experience, Threads could attract users seeking an alternative to Twitter’s limitations.
In conclusion, Threads, Meta’s upcoming social app, presents an intriguing alternative to Twitter. With its focus on text and images, integration with Instagram, and potential for a smoother user experience, it aims to capture the attention of those looking for a fresh social networking platform. As Threads prepares for its release, users eagerly anticipate the possibilities it may bring to the digital landscape.