Threads is the newest flagship product from Meta that is in the market right now. Users can share any text updates and join the public conversation on Threads, the app which is dubbed as “A New Way to Share with Text.” Recently, it reached 100 Million users in just 4 days, making it the fastest app to reach that particular milestone.
In this article, we are going to talk more about Threads, its features, and its feud with Twitter.
So, let’s get into it.
What is Threads?
On July 5th, 2023, Mark Zuckerberg announced an initial version of Threads, an app built by the Instagram team for sharing text.
Threads caters to various types of users, from active social media users to casual posters, making it an excellent option.
Threads posts offer users the freedom to express themselves with up to 500 characters. Furthermore, these posts can include links, photos, and videos of up to 5 minutes in length. Users can effortlessly share Threads posts to their Instagram story or as links on other platforms.
Threads vs. Instagram: Should you choose either one?
When we have a lot of apps in our hands, it’s common to lean towards choosing a few that serves us better but not to make you sad. You can’t choose between threads or Instagram; they work hand in hand, like Batman and Robin.
It means if you use Instagram, threads are there. It’s like you can use Instagram without Threads, but you cannot use threads without an Instagram.
On Instagram, billions of users connect and interact with each other through videos and photos. However, with the introduction of Threads, the development team seeks to take this experience to the next level. By expanding what Instagram already does best to text-based communication, Threads creates an environment where users can express their ideas creatively and positively. In doing so, Threads aims to enhance the platform’s existing strengths and provide users with a more diverse and dynamic interaction space.
Threads, like Instagram, it lets you connect with friends, creators, and those you follow on Instagram who share similar interests.
How to get started with Threads?
To start using Threads, simply sign in using your Instagram credentials. This process transfers your Instagram username and verification details, giving you the flexibility to personalize your Threads profile if desired.
(Image Source: Meta)
(Image Source: Meta)
Individuals below the age of 16 (or under 18 in specific jurisdictions) will automatically have a private profile upon joining Threads. You have the option to follow the same accounts as you do on Instagram and discover others who share your interests. Furthermore, Threads incorporates essential accessibility functionalities found on Instagram, including screen reader assistance and AI-generated descriptions for images.
The feed on Threads consists of threads shared by the accounts you follow and suggested content from creators you haven’t come across before. Each post can contain up to 500 characters and may include links, photos, and videos of up to 5 minutes in duration. Sharing a Threads post to your Instagram story or as a link on another platform is quite easy.
7 Main Features of Threads
1. Avatars
Users can customize Threads Avatars, which are digital representations, to use across Meta’s platforms, such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram Stories, and DMs. Users can customize their avatars with new body shapes, hair, and clothing textures to better express themselves. The Meta Avatars Store also offers digital outfits from leading fashion brands.
2. Virtual Spaces
Users can create and customize their own virtual spaces, such as rooms or entire buildings. These spaces can be used for socializing, gaming, or other activities.
3. Social Interactions
Threads is designed to facilitate social interactions between users. Users can chat with each other, join groups, and attend events.
4. Virtual Objects
Users can create and interact with virtual objects like furniture, vehicles, and other items.
5. Gaming
Threads include a variety of games that users can play with each other. These games range from simple puzzles to more complex multiplayer games.
6. Safety and User Controls
Threads offer a comprehensive suite of safety and user controls. Users have the ability to determine who can mention or reply to them within Threads. Additionally, they can add hidden words to filter out replies containing specific words to their threads. Moreover, users can unfollow, block, restrict, or report profiles on Threads, providing them with robust control over their experience on the platform.
7. Interoperability with Other Networks
Threads is planning to become compatible with ActivityPub, the open social networking protocol established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). This would make Threads interoperable with other apps that also support the ActivityPub protocol, such as Mastodon and WordPress, allowing new types of connections that are not possible on most social apps today.
Future Developments
In the future, Threads will introduce a range of new features aimed at assisting users in discovering threads and creators of their interest. These updates will include enhanced feed recommendations and a more powerful search function, enabling users to follow topics and stay up-to-date with real-time trends effortlessly.
Twitter Threatens to Sue Meta Over Rival Threads App
Twitter has threatened to sue Meta, formerly known as Facebook, over its newly launched Threads app, claiming that the company has violated Twitter’s intellectual property rights. The claim centers around the accusation that Meta has unlawfully misappropriated Twitter’s trade secrets.
In a letter addressed to Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, Twitter’s lawyer Alex Spiro raised serious concerns. He asserted that Meta had been involved in the systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property. Consequently, Twitter demands that Meta promptly cease using any Twitter trade secrets or highly confidential information, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Meta’s Response to Twitter Over Legal Actions
In response to the letter, Meta’s communications director, Andy Stone, took to Threads to address the issue. However, it remains unclear what evidence Twitter has to support its claim that former employees who now work at Meta still have access to Twitter intellectual property or trade secrets.
Therefore, this dispute between Twitter and Meta highlights the intense competition in the social media industry and underscores the measures companies are willing to take to safeguard their intellectual property. As the situation unfolds, it will be intriguing to observe how each company responds and assess the potential impact this could have on the future of social media platforms.
Final Thoughts
Threads is a promising new platform that offers a fresh take on text-based social interaction. Moreover, with its rapid rise in popularity and unwavering commitment to user safety and interoperability, Threads is poised to become a significant player in the social media landscape. As with any new platform, it will be intriguing to observe the evolution of Threads over time and witness how users adapt to this innovative approach to sharing and connecting. Furthermore, understanding how users embrace this new way of interaction will provide valuable insights into the platform’s potential for growth and long-term success.
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