The launch of Threads, the Twitter clone based on Instagram, is imminent. Tomorrow, July 6, the app of the new social network that aims to take advantage of Elon Musk’s disasters will be made available. The funny thing is that Today you can access the web version of the platformas to begin to understand what he is up to.
Before we move on, let’s clear up something important. That the web version of Threads is already available, it does not mean that anyone can create their account on the service. In fact, if you enter threads.net You will only see the countdown to the launch of the service and a QR code that invites you to download the application. If you scan it, you will be sent to the mobile web and from there you will see the link to access the iPhone version in the App Store. The Android variant is not yet available and it is not yet known if it will also be released tomorrow, or on a different date.
That said, it is possible to directly access the profiles of some content creators and personalities who have had early access to the platform. How could it be otherwise, mark zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, was the first to post on Threads. “Let’s do it. Welcome to Threads,” says @zuck’s message.
At the time of writing this article, the publication already exceeds 1,000 likes and has more than 370 responses. The web interface of the social network shows that it is not only possible to reply and give likebut also to republish —a retweet, come on— or share on other platforms.
A first look at the web version of Threads
What is not yet clear is how far the features of the web version of Threads will extend.. That is, if it will be possible to publish from the browser, or if it will only serve to view the publications and user profiles, as was the case previously with Instagram.
For now, the social network invites you to download the app to “indicate that you like something, respond and publish.” Which suggests that, at least initially, most features are likely to be reserved for mobile apps.
In principle, the web version of Threads shows a minimalist design. A small but very useful detail is that you can switch from light mode to dark mode just by clicking on the logo of the platform that appears at the top of the screen.
While if we enter a user’s profile, we can see a simple bio. That is, a profile photo, a brief description and the number of followers. Being based on Instagram, an icon also appears that leads to the linked account on that social network. Regarding the publications, they will be arranged in two sections: Threads and Replies.
With the web version of Threads now live, we can also take a first look at creators and personalities who have had early access to the platform. In addition to the aforementioned Mark Zuckerberg, the profile of Adam Mosseri (@mosseri), the head of Instagram. Also the one of the youtuber iJustine (@iJustine) and that of the F1 driver Lando Norris (@landonorris).
Regarding companies, Netflix (@netflix) already has a presence on Threads and has taken the opportunity to share several memes in the last few hours. In general, the feeling is the same: everyone who has had early access is waiting for their acquaintances to arrive on Threads. In fact, most active accounts have just a handful of hundreds of followers. The most “bulky” cases are those of Mosseri and Zuckerberg with 2,300 and 1,800 followers, respectively.
We’ll see how the reception of users to the new social network is. Although at this time it has been known that Threads will not debut in Europe tomorrow, due to regulatory questions.
Integration with Mastodon will come later
Adam Mosseri indicated that Threads will be released without integration to ActivityPub, the protocol behind Mastodon, as they failed to finish it on time. However, they promise to add it soon. This said the leader of Instagram:
“We’re committed to building support for ActivityPub, the protocol behind Mastodon, into this app. We couldn’t finish it for launch due to a number of complications that come with a decentralized network, but it’s coming soon.
If you’re wondering why this is important, here’s why: you might one day leave Threads, or hopefully not end up off the platform. If that ever happens, you should be able to take your audience to another server. Being open can allow that.”
Support for ActivityPub will also mean Mastodon users will be able to follow Threads users. To do this, they must search for them from their platform by adding “@threads.net” to their handle. For example: @zuck@threads.net, or @netflix@threads.net, and so on.