Meta, the owner of Facebook, is set to launch a new app called Threads, which aims to compete directly with Twitter. The app is scheduled to go live on Thursday and is currently available for pre-order on the Apple App Store.
Threads will be integrated with Instagram, as revealed by screen captures that showcase a dashboard resembling Twitter. Meta describes Threads as a “text-based conversation app.” This development intensifies the ongoing rivalry between Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter.
In a recent announcement, Musk and Zuckerberg agreed to engage in a physical fight, although the seriousness of their intentions remains uncertain. Musk seemingly took a fresh jab at Zuckerberg when he responded to a tweet about Threads, sarcastically praising the app’s management.
Concurrently, Twitter has announced its decision to place its popular user dashboard, TweetDeck, behind a paywall within the next 30 days. Musk aims to drive user adoption of Twitter’s subscription service, Twitter Blue, as part of his recent initiatives. Furthermore, Musk limited the number of visible tweets, citing concerns over excessive “data scraping.”
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The Threads app from Meta appears to be a free service with no limitations on post visibility, as indicated by available information. The App Store description defines Threads as a platform where communities convene to discuss a wide range of topics. The provided screenshots of the app exhibit a striking resemblance to Twitter. Given that Threads is a Meta app, it will likely collect various data from user’s devices, including location data, purchase details, and browsing history.
In recent years, multiple Twitter-like apps have emerged, such as Donald Trump’s Truth Social and Mastodon. Another app called Bluesky claimed to have experienced a surge in traffic following Musk’s move to restrict Twitter usage.
Nevertheless, Threads pose the most substantial challenge yet to Twitter’s dominance. Zuckerberg has a track record of adopting and successfully implementing ideas from other companies, as seen with Meta’s Reels (resembling TikTok) and Stories (similar to Snapchat).
Meta possesses the necessary resources to compete with Twitter, leveraging the vast user base of Instagram by integrating Threads into the platform. With this advantage, Meta aims to attract disillusioned Twitter users and establish a genuine alternative.
While Musk has garnered praise for his support of free speech, his actions have also alienated certain users. Zuckerberg will undoubtedly hope to lure enough dissatisfied Twitter users away to establish Threads as a compelling alternative.
1 Comment
Thread is a really nice idea