The long-awaited Threads app is now available for download on Android and iOS. Originally scheduled for release on July 6, the company surprised users by launching the app a day earlier. Unlike Instagram, Threads is primarily a mobile-based app and is not yet accessible on desktop. However, users can still make use of their Instagram username and follow the same accounts as on Instagram, making it an extension of the popular photo-sharing platform.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), stated that the purpose of Threads is to combine the best features of Instagram and create a new experience for text, ideas, and discussions. The app aims to foster a friendly community in a world that desperately needs it. Threads is available for users in more than 100 countries and has already garnered significant attention, with over five million sign-ups within the first two hours of its official launch.
Reports suggest that Threads will soon support ActivityPub, a decentralized social networking protocol used by services like Mastodon. This compatibility will allow Threads to interact with other apps supporting the ActivityPub protocol, such as Mastodon and WordPress.
While some may consider Threads a competitor to Twitter, it is unlikely to pose a significant threat to the platform. Twitter has evolved and integrated multiple features over the years, and it has its own dedicated user base, including government officials. The launch of Threads may instead be seen as a stepping stone towards the future, particularly for students and young talents.
Zuckerberg further emphasized that users of compatible apps will be able to follow and interact with people on Threads without having a Threads account. All they need to do is connect their Instagram account to Threads. This seamless connectivity is anticipated to usher in a new era of diverse and interconnected networks. Threads aims to establish itself as an open and friendly public space for conversation.
The launch of Threads comes at a time when Twitter is implementing certain restrictions on its users, such as limiting the number of tweets they can read daily. Twitter cited data scraping and system manipulation as reasons for these temporary adjustments. The platform also recently introduced a feature requiring users to register to view tweets, but later removed it.
Threads is deeply integrated with Instagram, allowing users to post threads of up to 500 characters, including links, photos, and videos of up to 5 minutes in length. Users can share these threads on their Instagram story or any other platform of their choice. Their Instagram username and verification will carry over, with the added option to customize their profile on Threads. To ensure safety, users under the age of 16 will have a private profile by default.
The Threads app dashboard displays threads from people that users follow, along with suggested content from new creators based on algorithms. This means users may come across threads from people they have not followed. The gradual rise of competing platforms like Mastodon, Bluesky, Post.news, Spill, and T2 after Elon Musk took over Twitter showcases the growing diversity in social media platforms.
In conclusion, the launch of the Threads app offers users a new way to connect and share ideas on mobile devices. With its deep integration into Instagram, Threads aims to create a friendly community for conversations and discussions. While it may not threaten the dominance of Twitter, Threads provides a unique experience for users, particularly students and young talents.
