Instagram is rolling out its brand new Threads messaging app, which is designed to let users exchange text, photos, and videos with their closest friends.
The app was first revealed back in August when reports came out that Facebook was working on a new offering to directly compete with the popular Snapchat.
Threads invites people to create text and images using Instagram's creative tools and send them to people on their "close friends" list. The messages could be as simple as giving an update on what users are doing at the moment, where they are, and other intimate information that they typically share with their friends.
However, some observers believe the app raises several privacy concerns, especially since it urges users to automatically share sensitive info such as their current status or location.
An Instant Messaging App For Close Friends
Threads app has three primary features: the camera, the inbox, and the status screen. Opening the app will lead users to the camera screen, where they could take pictures and videos that could be shared with their friends. However, it doesn't have options for screen filters, unlike other photo messaging apps.
Users can choose up to three of their buddies to feature at the bottom of the default screen. This makes messaging faster and much more convenient since their contact info is already available as soon as the app opens.
To send a message, Thread users can take a photo or video clip, select the file on screen, and swipe up to have it delivered to their friends. Early demonstrations have shown that the app is easy to use and that messaging can be done instantly.
The app also features an inbox, which is where all of the messages sent and received by users are kept. It has some similarities with Instagram's direct messaging, though it only shows messages from people on the close-friends list.
Robby Stein, the lead product developer for Instagram's consumer app, said most people only include one to two dozen of their buddies on their close-friends lists. This is why the company expects Threads users to keep a very limited number of personal messages on their inboxes.
There's also an option to host a group chat for folks that have already been added to users' close-friends lists.
Perhaps the most controversial component to Threads is its status screen, which works similarly to AOL away messages. Users can create a status by choosing an emoji and typing in a short caption. They can also pick from one of the numerous pre-populated statuses that are readily available on the app. Statuses can be kept visible for a set number of hours, depending on how long users want them to be.
Those who don't want to bother typing in a Threads status all the time can turn on the "auto status" feature instead. This allows the app to refresh users' statuses throughout the day as they go about their lives. For instance, it will take note of when the user is at home or work and then create a status update according to this schedule.
Privacy Concerns
Threads' auto status aspect can be a cause for concern for users, especially if the app were to keep tabs on their exact location. However, Instagram said it will not store information on where people are. It will instead use the info to create "context," such as if the user is at home, then they are likely to go out later on. Or if they are at work, then they are likely to stay at the office for a while.
The app developers assured users that their statuses will only be visible to their close friends.
