The Instagram app arrives on the App Store Threadsthe Twitter competitor developed by Meta, which is expected to be launched on July 6 for iPhone. Also for Android, Threads had appeared briefly on Google Play last Saturday, featuring similar screenshots and some preliminary details. So it seems that the announcement is imminent: here are all the details on the application that wants to replace Twitter.
Threads by Instagram, the app to replace Twitter ready for launch
Both the App Store and Google Play show the same screenshots. These images illustrate how this is possible log into the app with your Instagram accountfind the accounts you follow on Instagram within the new app and publish in an interface similar to those of Twitter, Mastodon, Bluesky or other text-centric social apps.
Images from the App Store
The description reads: “Say more with Threads, Instagram’s text chat app. Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from topics you care about today to what’s trending tomorrow. Whatever interests you, you can follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things, or build a loyal following of your own to share your ideas, opinions and creativity with the world.”
Everything we know about Threads, Twitter’s rival Instagram app
During a company meeting last month, unveiled by The Verge, Meta execs shared that Instagram Threads will integrate with the protocol of decentralized social media used by Mastodon, called ActivityPub. It is during this same meeting that an executive said: “We have listened to creators and public figures who are interested in a sanely managed platform“, giving rise to discussions about a possible confrontation between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Which today seems ready to explode even on a physical level.
Threads takes up the name of the messaging app that Instagram closed in 2021, after just two years of (little) activity. And he returns attention to the text. But instead of trying to be the “WhatsApp for Instagram friends,” try replacing Twitter. Like many other apps like Mastodon or Bluesky do, but with the enormous advantage of being able to connect with all your Instagram contacts.
A winning idea?
Although the app will become available for download on July 6th, it is not guaranteed that everyone will be able to log in and publish immediately. It is likely that Meta does a phased rollout of the app, perhaps starting from a small group of users in the United States. A simultaneous launch on multiple languages is difficult, when there is still a lack of moderators.
But the opportunity to replace Twitter could be too tempting, accelerating the timing for a global rollout. Since Elon Musk’s arrival on Twitter, many users have shown their discontent. More recently, after he imposed restrictions on unlogged-in users viewing tweets and introduced limits for logged in users, other users complained. But for those who use social media for work, abandoning Twitter for a new social network could be problematic. Going to a platform that has access to Instagram users could make all the difference, though.
Doubts, however, remain. How will switching accounts work on Threads? Will we receive continuous notifications on Instagram to switch to the new social network? We are sure that a new platform from Meta, Mark Zuckerberg’s company, it will be good for the market and competitiveness? All legitimate doubts, but which at the moment cannot obscure the curiosity towards the new social network. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments.