Meta unveils details on Threads -- the app to rival Twitter
If you’re tired of the chaos on Twitter these days, Meta is launching a new app called Threads that could give it a run for its money.
Reports of the rival app started popping up earlier this week after a listing for Threads appeared in Apple’s App Store.
The listing describes Threads as “Instagram’s text-based conversation app.”
Apple App Store
Meta tells Daily Hive that Threads promises to allow users to share text updates and join public conversations.
“Whether youâre a creator or a casual poster, Threads offers a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations. We are working toward making Threads compatible with the open, interoperable social networks that we believe can shape the future of the internet.”
The platform is expected to launch Thursday, July 6.
Here’s what we know so far about the new social media platform gunning to replace Twitter.
How will Threads work?
You’ll be able to keep your Instagram username and find your followers on the platform.
Here’s how: you log in using your Instagram account and posts can be up to 500 characters long and include links, photos, and videos up to five minutes in length.
If you’re under 18, you will be defaulted into a private profile when you join Threads.
No need to search out new users to follow either, Meta says you can choose to follow the same folks you do on Instagram or branch out.
“We built Threads with tools to enable positive, productive conversations. You can control who can mention you or reply to you within Threads. Like on Instagram, you can add hidden words to filter out replies to your threads that contain specific words. You can unfollow, block, restrict or report a profile on Threads by tapping the three-dot menu, and any accounts youâve blocked on Instagram will automatically be blocked on Threads,” the company said.
A first look at Threads, a new app built by Instagram for text updates and public conversations. Meta
“The core accessibility features available on Instagram today, such as screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions, are also enabled on Threads,” the company said.
Apple App Store
The dashboard has several similarities with Twitter â there’s what seems to be the main “thread” with a like, reply, repost, and share button.
“You can easily share a Threads post to your Instagram story, or share your post as a link on any other platform you choose,” the company explained.
Apple App Store
Unlike the original iteration of Twitter, it won’t limit the number of posts people see if they aren’t paying subscribers or not.
Like Twitter, it also allows you to customize who can reply to your thread.
Plus, you don’t even need an account to interact with Threads, according to the company.
“Weâre committed to giving you more control over your audience on Threads â our plan is to work with ActivityPub to provide you the option to stop using Threads and transfer your content to another service. Our vision is that people using compatible apps will be able to follow and interact with people on Threads without having a Threads account, and vice versa, ushering in a new era of diverse and interconnected networks,” it said.
But, if you have a public profile on Threads, be careful because that content can go anywhere — like other apps.
That’s helpful for those who are marketing or self-promoting like influencers, but is important to remember if you just want to share your cute dog pictures with your family.
“If you have a private profile, youâd be able to approve users on Threads who want to follow you and interact with your content, similar to your experience on Instagram.”
Apple App Store
According to The Verge, Twitter’s competitor briefly went live on desktop for a few hours on Wednesday.
The tech news outlet was able to access Meta CEO Mark Zuckerbergâs first post and other brands including Netflix and Instagram.
Reactions
Big names in tech and the general public reacted to the new app.
Head of Twitter Elon Musk had some words about who runs Threads.
Thank goodness theyâre so sanely run
â Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 4, 2023
Former CEO of Twitter Jack Dorsey pointed out the app’s arguably invasive privacy policy.
All your Threads are belong to us https://t.co/FfrIcUng5O pic.twitter.com/V7xbMOfINt
â jack (@jack) July 4, 2023
Another person countered that Facebook and Instagram have been collecting people’s data for years.
Everyoneâs like âyou canât get Threads itâs collecting all your dataâ and boy do I have some news about your Facebook and Instagram accounts youâve had for a decade pic.twitter.com/WDogdYjfgT
â Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) July 4, 2023
And others expressed their excitement to hop off the Twitter train.
Will be moving to threads tomorrow just like everyone else, goodbye twitter, you won’t be missed pic.twitter.com/fjMweiyn8J
â Snek đ (@LegoSnek) July 5, 2023
I think Threads is going to be very good.
Itâs twitter, but built with the high-craft of Instagram.
This little easter egg is a good sign đď¸ pic.twitter.com/M9avjhtiLH
â Kurt Varner (@kurtvarner) July 4, 2023
Will you be ditching Twitter for Threads? Let us know in the comments.
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