By
Bhushan Akolkar
April 25th, 2024
The introduction of Threads by Meta will mark the latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the company and Twitter.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is making waves in the social media landscape with the upcoming launch of its new app called “Threads”. The app aims to challenge the dominance of Twitter and is set to launch on July 6, this Thursday. Threads are designed as a text-based conversation app that provides users with an engaging and seamless platform for discussions. The new social platform will be integrated with the popular photo-sharing app, Instagram, allowing users to engage with the same accounts they already follow, fostering continuity and expanding their conversational networks.
Meta has launched a countdown website specifically for the new social media platform to create excitement for the launch. According to the company, Threads will be a space where communities can come together to discuss various topics of interest. Users can follow and connect directly with their favorite creators and others who share similar interests. They can also build a loyal following to share their ideas, opinions, and creativity.
A Rivalry in the Making: Meta vs Twitter
The introduction of Threads by Meta marks the latest chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the company and Twitter. Mark Zuckerberg, the driving force behind Meta, has shown a talent for borrowing successful concepts and integrating them into the company’s ecosystem. Threads follow in the footsteps of Meta’s other successful adaptations, such as Reels, inspired by TikTok, and Stories, reminiscent of Snapchat. Meta’s new social media project features a similar interface to Twitter, with familiar functionalities like liking, commenting, reposting, and sharing. The app, which is already available for pre-order on Apple’s app store, ensures a smooth transition for users accustomed to the microblogging format, providing them with a user-friendly environment for engaging in discussions.
The company’s introduction of Threads comes as Twitter faces criticism for recent restrictions and rate-limiting errors. Elon Musk, the new owner of Twitter, announced these restrictions on July 1, stating that verified accounts are limited to reading 6 million posts per day, while unverified accounts can only read five posts daily. New unverified accounts are limited to reading three posts per day. As a result of these new limits, Twitter competitors like Spill, Bluesky, and Post have witnessed significant growth, indicating a demand for alternative platforms. With its integration of established Instagram communities consisting of millions of users, Threads positions itself as a compelling option for users seeking a fresh social media experience outside of Twitter. This advantage sets Meta’s upcoming product apart from previous contenders who had to start from scratch.
Meta Rolls Out New VR Subscription Service Quest+
In addition to the new social platform scheduled to debut later this week, Meta has been engaging in other product offerings. Last month, the company unveiled MusicGen, a new artificial intelligence (AI) music generator that allows music enthusiasts to create songs using text inputs based on existing melody prompts. This product was introduced on June 27 as part of Meta’s efforts to explore the AI market.
That same month, the company also launched Meta Quest+, a new service to enhance users’ virtual reality (VR) experience. This subscription service offers users an exciting opportunity to discover fresh gaming experiences without the hassle of searching through Meta’s extensive catalog. Users will also receive two new monthly titles, ready to be redeemed, enjoyed, and mastered. With the arrival of new games on the first day of every month, subscribers can eagerly anticipate a sense of anticipation and adventure in their gaming routine.