Some wanting to leave Instagram, and Facebook betting on a new application that complements the service. Threads is the new complementary application that they are developing so that you can communicate with your Instagram friends in a more direct way. And by the way, they continue to compete against Snapchat.
Threads, the new plugin app for Instagram
The Verge has published an article describing what is Threads and why are you developing it Facebook. In it they say that it is not only a last assault on the messaging options that Snapchat offers, it is also a complement to create a group of closer friends. And yes, it makes sense, but not long ago they killed Direct which, more or less, was something similar.
Lets start by the beginning. Facebook wants you, as its potential user, to use its applications and services for as long as possible. Or, at least, that when you have some time you go to Facebook, Instagram, etc... and not to the competition (Snapchat, Twitter,...) That's why they add new features and options every so often. Even if that means replicating things that already exist in others, for example stories.
Well, now with Threads they intend to do all of that and, at the same time, offer a messaging application that supports Instagram. In this way, users will be able to send messages to their friends in a more private way. Although what may attract the most attention is that it is also automated.
That is to say, Threads will allow automatic data sharing such as location, movement or battery level among others with your contacts. Thus, your closest circle of friends will have all that updated information at all times without the need for you to have to do anything else.
If this has made you put your hands to your head, calm down. You can choose whether or not you want to share this data automatically with the rest. Also, aside from maybe the messaging side of things, it's not much different than the ones that Find My Apple Friends. An app/service that may not even sound familiar to you because it is exclusive to iOS and never achieved much of an impact.
Here, as it is from Facebook and they have been involved in many controversies recently, it is normal to be looked at with suspicion. It must also be said that it is being tested and we do not know when it would arrive, if it does. What's more, even when it's in the iOS and Android stores, it's likely to happen like Direct or similar and end up killing it if it's not used. Because it's not always easy to drag certain users to another app, even if it's a plug-in or from it you can continue to see the posts your friends make on their Instagram feeds.
For now, what we would know about Threads is that is being tested internally among Facebook employees. We'll see where it all goes. If you are a very intense user of Instagram you may find value in it. For those who only go to see what others have published, it may go unnoticed.