Instagram officially launched a standalone messaging app called "Threads" today. The company is promoting the new application as "a camera app just for close friends."
Threads is a standalone app that integrates with a user's Instagram Direct Messages. It expands on Instagram's "Close Friends" feature, as stated on the company's blog:
"Over the past few years, we've introduced several new ways to visually share and connect with people you care about on Instagram—from sharing everyday moments on Stories to visual messages on Direct. But for your smaller circle of friends, we saw the need to stay connected throughout your day, so you can communicate what you're doing and how you're feeling through photos and videos. That's why we created Threads, a new way to communicate with close friends in a dedicated, private space."
The new app is intended to challenge Snapchat and focuses on speed and privacy. Threads allows users to quickly share messages, photos, videos, stories and more with close friends. Robby Stein, Director of Product, writes:
"You control who can reach you on Threads, and you can tailor the experience around the people who matter most. Threads is the fastest way to share a photo or video with your close friends on Instagram. It opens directly to the camera and lets you add shortcuts, so you can share what you're doing in just two steps."
Have you updated your status yet?
In addition to sharing media, "Status" is another feature in Threads. Here, users can choose from several pre-defined status messages – "Have time," "Busy," "Bored," "Watching TV," "Eating," "Studying," and "Playing" – each of these messages is decorated with its own emoji. Users can also create their own status messages and select the appropriate emojis. Users can set a time until the status expires – options include 1-4 hours. Alternatively, Threads can update the status automatically depending on their location. Note: Location sharing is required for this.
"We heard you want an easier way to keep up with your friends throughout the day—especially when you don't have time to send a photo or have a conversation. That's why we created a status. You can choose from a suggested status (📚 Learn), create your own (😅Hesitate) or activate the auto status (🚗 On the go), which automatically shares small details about where you are without revealing your coordinates. Only your close friends will see your status, and it's completely opt-in." – says Robby Stein.
Of course, the chat function is a must. In addition to sharing statuses and media, Threads users can write directly with their "closest friends" – chat histories are synchronized with the main Instagram app. Threads is currently being rolled out worldwide for iOS and Android – anyone interested in testing the app can download it for free from the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. (Image: Instagram)
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