Instagram Threads Set to Launch on July 6th

Looks like the Zuck is not only planning to fight Elon Musk in the physical space, but even in the app space. Instagram Threads, Meta’s own competitor to the popular bird app, is expected to launch on July 6th, according to a listing on both the Apple and Google Play Stores.

That means Meta will be joining the list of possible Twitter alternatives such as the Jack Dorsey-led Bluesky and of course, Mastodon. Here’s what we know about this new app:

What is Instagram Threads?

According to its official description on the Google Play Store, Threads is “where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow.” It’s basically Twitter, but with Meta managing operations.

Interested users can sign up to the app using their Instagram and they can easily find their friends’ accounts from there. Setting up your social circle shouldn’t take too long which we think is convenient for most accounts out there. And yes, you can still share pictures and posts on the platform.

If the name sounds familiar though, that’s because it’s not the first time Meta used the term for an app. Threads was initially a companion messaging app for Instagram meant to compete with Snapchat before closing down in December 2021.

Right time for a Twitter competitor?

The app’s reveal is quite notable as it’s teased at a time when Twitter is facing backlash for Musk’s recent decision to restrict viewers from reading tweets on the site. Users are now required to log in before viewing posts.

Of course, the app has also imposed a limit to the number of tweets to just 500 tweets before upping it to 1,000. The cap is said to be temporary and was made in order to “discourage extreme levels of data scraping and system manipulation.”

Additionally, Musk is also planning on limiting Tweetdeck, the site’s online dashboard popular with businesses and news organizations, only to users who’ve paid for Twitter Blue; its revised verification service.

As a result, plenty of users have started looking for alternatives. Bluesky even had to halt user sign-ups for a limited time after experiencing “record-high traffic”, according to CNBC. Meta may be launching its own app in order to take advantage of this same crowd.

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Tempering expectations

Of course, even if the app launches on July 6th, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to start posting and sharing your thoughts right away. It’s possible that Meta does a slow, limited rollout of the new app at first, before gradually expanding it to more users across the globe.

Ultimately, only time will tell if Twitter will be overtaken by competitors like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon. Not sure how well ‘threading’ rolls of the tongue as part of the lingo however. 

Threads will be available for both Android and iOS though a desktop version may come in the future. In the meantime, make sure to follow us for great deals on popular flagships like the iPhone 14 and more, ensuring a great mobile experience on your day-to-day.