The rivalry between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg has intensified with the upcoming launch of Zuckerberg’s Meta-owned app, Threads, aimed at competing with Twitter. Set to go live on Thursday, Threads is described in the App Store as a platform where communities can engage in real-time conversations and build connections with like-minded individuals. The move by Meta comes at a time when Twitter is facing its own challenges, including a recent outage and temporary limits on user activity. In response to these developments, Musk, the billionaire owner of Twitter, sarcastically remarked, “Thank goodness they’re so sanely run,” echoing comments made by Meta executives that seemed to criticize his own behavior.
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The rivalry between Musk and Zuckerberg extends beyond the business realm, with discussions about a possible physical fight between the two. However, the seriousness of these discussions remains unclear. Meanwhile, Twitter is making efforts to expand its offerings, adding encrypted messaging and considering the introduction of voice calls, potentially challenging Meta’s dominance in the messaging space with platforms like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.
Meta’s launch of Threads presents a direct challenge to Twitter, as the app shares similarities with Twitter’s interface. While Twitter is moving to monetize its services, such as putting TweetDeck behind a paywall, Threads is expected to be a free platform with unrestricted access to posts. The app will be closely integrated with Instagram, leveraging its existing user base to establish a competitive edge. Meta has a track record of borrowing ideas from other platforms and successfully implementing them, as seen with Reels, a TikTok-like feature, and Stories, reminiscent of Snapchat.
While Musk has garnered praise for his commitment to free speech, his actions have also led to the alienation of certain users. Zuckerberg, on the other hand, aims to attract disenchanted Twitter users and create a genuine alternative with Threads. With Meta’s resources and integration with Instagram, Threads poses a significant threat to Twitter, potentially reshaping the landscape of online conversations and real-time interactions.
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