Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is set to launch a new app called Threads to rival Twitter.
The app, which can be pre-ordered on the Apple App Store, will be closely integrated with Instagram. Screenshots of the app reveal a dashboard similar to Twitter, and Meta describes Threads as a “text-based conversation app.”
This move intensifies the ongoing rivalry between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter owner Elon Musk.
Last month, Zuckerberg and Musk engaged in a lighthearted exchange, agreeing to a physical fight, although it remains unclear whether they were serious about the idea. In response to a tweet about Threads, Musk took a swipe at Zuckerberg, stating, “Thank goodness they’re so sanely run.”
Meanwhile, Twitter has announced that its popular user dashboard, TweetDeck, will be placed behind a paywall within the next 30 days. This is part of Musk’s efforts to encourage users to subscribe to Twitter’s premium service, Twitter Blue. In a recent move, Musk restricted the number of tweets users can see, citing concerns about data scraping.
In contrast, Threads will be a free service provided by Meta, and there will be no restrictions on the number of posts users can view. The app aims to bring communities together for discussions on various topics. Screenshots from the app indicate a striking resemblance to Twitter.
However, Threads could pose a significant threat to Twitter, as Meta has a history of successfully implementing ideas borrowed from other companies. Meta’s Reels is often regarded as a TikTok copy, while Stories resembles Snapchat.
With Meta’s vast resources and the integration of Threads into the Instagram platform, which boasts hundreds of millions of accounts, the app has a head start compared to other Twitter competitors.
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Although Musk has received praise for his commitment to free speech, he has also alienated some users. Zuckerberg hopes to attract disenchanted users away from Twitter and create a genuine alternative through Threads. The app is scheduled to go live on Thursday, adding a new chapter to the ongoing rivalry between Meta and Twitter.
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