PETALING JAYA: Threads, a new app built by the Instagram team, which is designed to compete with Twitter, was launched today to the excitement of users.
According to the App Store, Threads is a "text-based conversation app" that serves as a platform for online communities to engage in discussions about various topics, from current interests to upcoming trends.
"Whatever it is you're interested in, you can follow and connect directly with your favourite creators and others who love the same things — or build a loyal following of your own to share your ideas, opinions and creativity with the world," the app's description read.
Threads provides users with the ability to share text posts of up to 500 characters in length, along with the option to include links, photos and videos that can be up to five minutes long.
"Our vision with Threads is to take what Instagram does best and expand that to text, creating a positive and creative space to express your ideas," according to Meta that also owns Instagram in a blog post
The launch of Threads has garnered much attention from netizens, with many expressing their excitement about the app.
"It's the same (as Twitter), but better!" exclaimed @luqmanbeat.
"It's (still) early days, but my gut feeling is that Threads can pose a formidable challenge to Twitter. This is because it has a massive base of members on Instagram and transitioning to this new platform is super easy. I also love the absence of ads in Threads. Enjoy it while you can!" user @pillay_vijayan said.
"Threads feels like the first truly decent browser in some ways. I'm not heavily into social media, I just wanted to check this out and I (actually) like it," said @anthonyflynn1001.
"I like that it's so simple. It's kind of like how the old Twitter used to be," @bri.gregory added.
However, some users expressed dissatisfaction with Threads' current features and suggested improvements.
"(Threads) needs an option on how the timeline presents the threads. Currently, it's a jumbled mess and it doesn't seem to matter whether I follow a particular person or not," said @kokasaurus.
Threads user @nikzamirdaniel suggested improving the search feature so that users will be able to search for a topic and threads will appear.
"So far, only users' accounts will show up in the search results," he added.
"Features are still behind Twitter for now," said @ddhamiry.
International celebrities such as Zayn Malik, Gordon Ramsay and Shakira have already joined Threads and posted on the platform.
Meta founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg has also posted on Threads, stating, "Let's do this. Welcome to Threads."
Additionally, Malaysian actresses Ummi Nazeera, Mia Sara Shauki, and Tiz Zaqyah were seen posting on Threads.
Threads was launched in over 100 countries and is available for download on iOS and Android from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
