As the battle for social media dominance rages on, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is gearing up to launch a new app, “Threads”, designed to rival Twitter. This app, which is currently available for pre-order on the Apple App Store and is slated to go live on Thursday, will be linked to Instagram.
“Threads” App: A Free Text-Based Conversation Platform Linked to Instagram
“Threads” is touted as a “text-based conversation app”, with its interface and functionality mirroring that of Twitter, according to the preliminary screengrabs. This development adds a new layer to the ongoing rivalry between Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, and Elon Musk, Twitter’s owner.
Zuckerberg and Musk have famously sparred online in the past, even agreeing to a physical fight – although the seriousness of that proposal remains questionable. Musk’s response to the announcement of “Threads” adds another dash of fuel to the fire, with his sarcastic remark, “Thank goodness they’re so sanely run.”
Twitter’s TweetDeck Behind Paywall as Musk’s Strategy Unfolds, while Meta’s “Threads” Remains Free
In an intriguing turn, Twitter recently announced that it would place its popular user dashboard, TweetDeck, behind a paywall within the next 30 days. This decision appears to be a part of Musk’s strategy to encourage users to subscribe to Twitter’s premium service, Twitter Blue.
In contrast to Twitter’s premium offerings, “Threads” is projected to be a free service, with no restrictions on the number of posts users can view. The App Store’s description reads, “Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow”.
Being a Meta app, “Threads” will also collect data from users’ phones, including location data, purchases, and browsing history.
The rise of platforms that closely resemble Twitter, such as Donald Trump’s Truth Social and Mastodon, isn’t a new phenomenon. However, with Meta’s extensive resources and the ability to connect “Threads” to the massive Instagram user base, Twitter might be facing its most formidable competition yet.
Zuckerberg is known for his knack for taking cues from other companies’ ideas and successfully integrating them into Meta’s ecosystem. Examples include “Reels“, a nod to TikTok, and “Stories”, which bears striking similarities to Snapchat.
As Musk’s focus on free speech garners both praise and alienation from users, Zuckerberg’s strategy with “Threads” seems to be targeting those disenchanted with Twitter, in hopes of offering a viable alternative to the microblogging giant. The launch of “Threads” marks an interesting new chapter in the story of social media competition.
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