Subj : Today's tech news live: the latest on Meta's Twitter killer Threa To : All From : TechnologyDaily Date : Wed Jul 05 2023 18:45:03 Today's tech news live: the latest on Meta's Twitter killer Threads and more Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2023 17:36:21 +0000 Description: Feeling a bit behind on today's tech news? We've rounded up all the latest stories in this liveblog, including the latest on Meta's Threads. FULL STORY ====================================================================== Keeping up with the latest tech news can be a fun but energy-sapping challenge. Luckily, our new Fast Charge liveblog is here to give you blast of all the latest headlines in minutes, so you can stay on top of today's stories including the imminent launch of Meta's potential Twitter assassin Threads . The Threads app is expected to officially launch on July 6, according to a new App Store listing, but the web version prematurely went live earlier with Mark Zuckerberg's first post. Meta has also been hiding little personalized invites in Instagram to get you excited about its "text-based conversation app". Search for 'Threads' in the Instagram search bar and you'll see a little red ticket that you can tap to be taken to a personal invite countdown. But not everyone will be invited to the Threads launch party, with rumors claiming that the app will launch in the US and UK, but not in the EU (more on that below). Not that Threads has all of the tech news tied up today we're also seeing yet more leaked images of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 , and rumors suggesting that the iPhone 15 lineup are likely to get some serious battery life upgrades . For all of the latest news on those and more, plug into our feed below for a quick hit of all the breaking tech news today... (Image credit: Future) Metas Threads has gone live (kind of) The Threads app isnt due to go live until tomorrow (July 6), but we were given a sneak peek of the interface earlier today. Thats because the web version went live early , seemingly accidentally as it's no longer available. A small band of influencers and brands were merrily posting away no problem, Meta, our early invite must have got lost in the post I had a quick tinker and its, well, a text-based Instagram. You can go into dark mode by clicking the Threads logo at the top. And your options are mainly writing posts, liking posts and replying. But its clear this will give Twitter a massive shove when its already very off balance this week weve already seen Twitter spring rate limits on users with no warning , and put a new version of the popular Tweetdeck behind a paywall. This weeks rumblings are the real billionaire cage fight, it seems... (Image credit: Future) Has Metas Threads got snagged on EU laws? In less good news for Threads (or anyone living in the EU), it looks like the app wont be launching outside of the US and UK to start with. According to the Irish Independent , a Meta spokesperson has said that the Twitter rival wont be rolled out in the EU at this point. Were just confirming this with Meta and will update here when we hear back. This explains why the app hasnt been appearing in the App Stores of EU countries. The reason is apparently Europes tougher privacy lawswhile the EU regulator hasnt blocked the app, Meta seemingly needs more time to prepare it for a full launch in Europe. Still, a Meta spokesperson told Bloomberg that its preparing to roll out Threads in 100 countries with more coming soon, so hopefully it wont be too long before the EU can join the chat. ====================================================================== Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/live/fast-charge-wed-5-july --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 (Linux/64) * Origin: tqwNet Technology News (1337:1/100) .