Meta Platforms Inc’s popular Twitter-like app, Threads, is set to release a desktop version in response to user demands. While desktop versions are not typically crucial to app success in today’s mobile age, Threads focuses on short text updates that are often more manageable on a computer, especially in professional settings.
Many users with large followings and brands that advertise on the platform prefer keeping the desktop version of X (previously Twitter) open on their work computers throughout the day, enabling them to schedule posts, analyze performance, and manage their expenses on the platform. However, Threads currently lacks these features.
Last week, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram and the leader of the Threads project, confirmed that they are close to launching a web version of the app. The company recognized the need to make Threads available on desktop to establish it as a habit during work hours, especially after the initial excitement following the app’s launch has subsided. According to the Wall Street Journal, this update could be released as early as this week.
Details about the other functionalities included in the Threads product update remain unknown, as the company declined to provide any comments regarding this matter.
Threads has shown promising growth for Meta, with its workforce expanding despite cuts in other departments. Since its launch on July 5th, the project has grown from a few dozen employees to over a hundred. However, failure to attract recurring users and advertisers could lead to criticism from investors and employees.
The app gained over 100 million sign-ups shortly after its launch earlier this month, and analysts from Evercore ISI estimate that it could generate approximately $8 billion in annual revenue over the next two years. Nevertheless, Sensor Tower, a market research firm, has reported that daily usage has declined by more than 70% since its peak.
Although Threads experienced initial hype, its future impact on internet culture remains uncertain. It may have the opportunity to attract former Twitter users who are dissatisfied with the platform’s changes under new owner Elon Musk. However, merely serving as an alternative to X will not suffice to compete with TikTok, its fast-growing rival, according to Bloomberg. The success of Threads will depend on the app’s update frequency and its ability to appeal to users who have never been on Twitter before.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
