Instagram has announced a new standalone app called Threads, a messaging app designed to be used among close friends. The app allows users to share to quickly share photos, text, and videos with people they’ve added to their ‘close friends’ list.
The main component of the app is the camera, which is the default screen when you open the app. That said, it doesn’t get the bells and whistles of Instagram stories as there are no filters in the selfie mode. As soon as you open Threads, you’re directly taken to the camera so you can quickly share photos and videos with people on your close friends’ list.
“Threads is a standalone app designed with privacy, speed, and your close connections in mind. You can share photos, videos, messages, Stories, and more with your Instagram close friends list. You are in control of who can reach you on Threads, and you can customize the experience around the people who matter most,’ explained In Instagram in a blog post on Thursday.
Ability to set auto-status
The app also offers the ability to set a status message, or an auto status. Users can set their own status message as an emoji, while the auto status “automatically shares little bits of context on your whereabouts without giving away your coordinates.” For example, it could show when you’re at home, gym, at a cafe, or driving in a car. Though it doesn’t reveal the exact address or the name of the place you’re at to protect your privacy.
Instagram also mentioned that despite the availability of Threads, users can continue using Instagram Direct as they normally would, as messages from your close friends’ list will appear in both Threads and Direct, so users have full control over how and with whom they’d want to interact. Threads, also a direct competitor to Snapchat, is rolling out today globally on iOS and Android.
