Meta’s Instagram Threads Gearing Up for Launch on July 6th, To Compete With Twitter

Meta’s hotly anticipated Twitter competitor, Instagram Threads, is slated to go live on July 6th. According to the Apple App Store, the app version compatible with Apple’s iPhone is ready for launch. Internet detectives have also uncovered a preliminary listing of the app on the Google Play Store that emerged over the weekend.

A hint towards the imminent launch has been embedded within the Instagram app. When users input “threads” or various other keywords into the search box, a ticket icon materializes on the search bar. Once tapped, a rotating ticket featuring the user’s Instagram username and a local launch time – adjusted from 10 AM ET on July 6th – becomes visible. A QR code linking to threads.net, which is likely to serve as the web portal for the fresh social media platform, is also included. Notably, the website features a countdown timer set to conclude at 10 AM ET on the 6th.

App Store provides an official yet succinct description of Threads, identifying it as “Instagram’s text-based conversation app” and stating that the platform intends to facilitate communal discussions on a wide array of topics. Users can connect directly with their favorite creators, establish their own dedicated following, and share unique ideas, views, and creativity.

Sneak peeks of the app are now available on both the App Store and Google Play Store, offering insight into the user interface. Users can sign in using their Instagram handle, discover their Instagram follows on the new platform, and post in a format that echoes Twitter, Mastodon, Bluesky, among other text-centric social media apps.

The news of the forthcoming launch of Instagram Threads is particularly striking against the backdrop of upheaval at its prime competitor, Twitter. Last week, Twitter imposed restrictions on unregistered users and implemented temporary rate limits, leading to widespread disruptions. In addition, Twitter announced significant alterations to TweetDeck, a tool heavily relied upon by journalists and social media professionals, after the app began to malfunction.

As if this were not enough, Twitter users attempting to migrate to Bluesky over the holiday weekend found themselves locked out due to new user registration suspensions. However, the CEO of Mastodon remains optimistic despite the tumultuous social media landscape.

Elon Musk, Twitter owner, responded to the launch date announcement of Threads with dry humor, drawing attention to Meta’s data collection practices. Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey chimed in with his own witty remark, to which Musk succinctly responded, “Yeah.”

As we countdown to the launch, the battle lines are being drawn in the ever-competitive world of social media. Stay tuned to LatestNaija.news for the latest updates on this development.