Technology giant Meta, the company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is preparing to unveil a new social network that will carry the name Threads. The platform is designed to compete with Twitter by leaning into real-time conversations and direct online chatter. Early reports in the United States media indicate that Meta plans to announce Threads next Thursday. The app is already appearing in major app stores, including the Google Play Store, in an early access mode that invites users to try features before a full rollout. Threads is positioned as a bold move by Meta to expand its real-time social dialogue across devices and networks. — Source: US media
Meta’s chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, has spoken for a long time about launching a social space focused on live online conversations that can rival Twitter, even as the company has navigated the ebbs and flows that followed its early acquisitions. Zuckerberg’s approach has remained committed to creating a space where rapid updates, quick reactions, and casual posts can thrive in an interconnected ecosystem that already includes Instagram and WhatsApp. The strategy also aligns with the broader Meta vision of enabling communities to stay connected across its family of apps. — Source: US media
Meanwhile, Elon Musk, who completed the purchase of Twitter last year, has continued to test new monetization models and policy changes on the platform. He recently introduced daily visibility limits on content streams that prompted discussions among users and observers about access and engagement. Changes to the platform have included revenue-based features for verified accounts and adjustments to how posts are surfaced in feeds. These moves have sparked debates about the balance between openness, safety, and the economic sustainability of social networks. — Source: US media
Twitter’s evolution under Musk has also seen a rethinking of the verification system and content moderation rules. The platform has experimented with adjustments to the algorithm to influence what users see, along with modifications to how identity verification is handled and how certain types of content are managed. These shifts touch on the core tension in modern social networks: how to maintain trust and safety while encouraging vibrant, often rapid, public discourse. — Source: US media
In the initial concept for Threads, the application is expected to integrate tightly with Instagram. This means people who already use Instagram will be able to follow the same people and engage with similar usernames, sharing photos and short videos in a continuous flow. The cross-platform approach aims to streamline the user experience, reducing the friction involved in maintaining multiple identities or contact lists across apps. For users, this could translate into faster connections, fewer steps to engage with friends, and a more seamless social experience across Meta’s ecosystem. — Source: US media