News

Meta's Twitter rival Threads launches web version

By AFP

August 25, 2023 12:43 PM


Representational image

Threads, Meta's challenger to depose Twitter as the go-to platform for celebrities, companies and governments, is now available on the web as it seeks to revive its underwhelming launch.

A web version of Threads is seen as key to attracting professionals and media types who are the most active users of social media and post mainly from their computers during working hours.

"Threads.net is now live for everyone. Let us know what you think," posted Instagram head Adam Mosseri on Thursday, who also leads Threads.

Until now, Threads was accessible only as a mobile app on iPhones and Android phones.

"The Threads team is working hard to bring this experience to parity with mobile, and will be adding more functionality to the web experience in the coming weeks," a spokesman said.

The rival to Twitter (now called X) was rushed out in early July by Meta, which invited its more than a billion Instagram users to download the app.

This helped Threads become the fastest downloaded app ever, crushing the previous record held by AI sensation ChatGPT.

But the initial excitement did not last, with usage by the early adopters falling steadily ever since and users calling out for a web version of the app and other tweaks.

Many of the celebrities who were given a privileged early access to Threads - such as Jennifer Lopez or American Football star Tom Brady - have posted only rarely.

X, owned by Elon Musk, still dominates as the platform for comment and news, but the chaos endured at the platform since the Tesla owner took over has eroded its success and sent users seeking alternatives.

One measure of usership, by company Similarweb, showed that daily active users on the Android version of Threads dropped to 10.3 million from the peak of 49.3 million.

In the week of the Threads launch early last month, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg cautioned the app would "take time to stabilize, but once we nail that then we'll focus on growing the community."

Threads is not available in Europe because parent company Meta is unsure how to navigate the European Union's data privacy legislation.


AFP


Most Read

  1. Four die in Karachi mall fire Four die in Karachi mall fire
  2. Is Aroosa Khan Iqrar ul Hassan’s third wife? Is Aroosa Khan Iqrar ul Hassan’s third wife?
  3. Statement of fourth witness in Imran’s illegal Nikah case recorded Statement of fourth witness in Imran’s illegal Nikah case recorded
  4. Ducky Bhai's wife recites ‘Astaghfirullah’ after her husband goes BALD Ducky Bhai's wife recites ‘Astaghfirullah’ after her husband goes BALD
  5. Mehar Bano’s bold dance at sandy beach infuriates many Mehar Bano’s bold dance at sandy beach infuriates many
  6. Shan Masood hits unbeaten 156 as Pakistan pile up 324/6 in 4-day match against PM XI Shan Masood hits unbeaten 156 as Pakistan pile up 324/6 in 4-day match against PM XI

Opinion

  1. Diplomacy in Action: Pakistan's UNESCO Victory
    Diplomacy in Action: Pakistan's UNESCO Victory

    By Dr Asif Channer

  2. India’s endgame in Kashmir is consummation of settler-colonial occupation; Kashmiris’ goal is to uproot it
    India’s endgame in Kashmir is consummation of settler-colonial occupation; Kashmiris’ goal is to uproot it

    By Tariq Ahmed

  3. Journey of Compassion: Diplomatic Aid Unveiled in Jinping County, Yunnan, Through the Eyes of International Journalists
    Journey of Compassion: Diplomatic Aid Unveiled in Jinping County, Yunnan, Through the Eyes of International Journalists

    By Ali Ramay

  4. TPNW can prevent nuclear disaster in South Asia
    TPNW can prevent nuclear disaster in South Asia

    By Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai

  5. Political Opportunism and the 18th Constitutional Amendment
    Political Opportunism and the 18th Constitutional Amendment

    By Muhammad Asad Ayaz