Meta has launched the Threads API, opening new doors for developers and third-party businesses to integrate their applications with the Threads platform. Announced in a blog post by Jesse Chen, Threads’ director of engineering, this API will enable a wide range of functionalities and integrations.

Key Features of the Threads API

The Threads API offers developers the ability to:

• Publish custom posts including images, videos, text, and carousels
• Analyze performance metrics
• Access follower demographics
• Automate reply tools

According to the blog post, “People can now publish posts via the API, fetch their own content, and leverage our reply management capabilities to set reply and quote controls, retrieve replies to their posts, hide, unhide or respond to specific replies.”

Announcement and Developer Resources

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the availability of the Threads API on Threads, stating, “The Threads API is now widely available, and coming to more of you soon.”

To assist developers, Meta has provided an open-source sample app and a guide on using the API. Interested developers can fill out a form to get started. Note that Threads accounts are limited to 250 API-published posts per 24 hours.

Testing and Collaborations

Meta began testing the Threads API earlier this year with partners like Hootsuite, Techmeme, Sprinklr, Social News Desk, Grabyo, and Sprout Social. The beta phase started in April 2023.

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Elina Vilk, Hootsuite’s chief marketing officer, expressed excitement about the integration: “Threads is a fast-growing network that reflects where social is headed, and the capabilities that this API integration makes possible for our customers is taking Hootsuite’s mission of unlocking social relationships to a new level.”

Threads’ Evolution and Challenges

Since its launch in July 2023, Threads has experienced a fluctuating user base, peaking at 150 million users in April after a significant dip in August 2023. The platform has introduced features like trending topics, a TweetDeck-like column view, post archiving, and a Tinder-like swipe feature.

However, Threads has also faced challenges, including accessibility issues and reports of hate speech and controversial posts. Despite these hurdles, Meta has been proactive in adding fact-checkers to combat misinformation and improve user experience.

Conclusion

The launch of the Threads API marks a significant step in Meta’s effort to enhance the functionality and integration capabilities of the Threads platform. With the new API, developers and businesses can create more dynamic and engaging social media experiences, driving the platform’s growth and utility.

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Apple has officially discontinued Apple Pay Later, but a new installment payment solution is on the horizon. The move comes with the promise of a more flexible and globally accessible service.

The End of Apple Pay Later

Apple Pay Later, introduced at WWDC 2022 and launched in the U.S. in March 2023, allowed users to split payments into installments without additional fees or interest. Initially available to a limited group, it expanded to all U.S. users by October 2023, supporting payments between $75 and $1,000.

On Monday, Apple confirmed to 9to5Mac that it has stopped offering Apple Pay Later. However, existing users can still manage their remaining loans through the Wallet app.

A New Global Service Coming Soon

Later this year, Apple plans to introduce a new service enabling installment loans through credit and debit cards, as well as through various lenders, during checkout with Apple Pay. This service is set to be available globally, marking a significant expansion from the U.S.-only Apple Pay Later.

Apple emphasized their commitment to providing secure and private payment options. This new solution aims to bring flexible payment methods to more users worldwide, collaborating with Apple Pay-enabled banks and lenders.

Upcoming Features and Partnerships

At this year’s WWDC, Apple unveiled several new payment-related features. These include “Tap to Cash,” allowing users to send cash by holding their phones together. Apple also partnered with fintech company Affirm to offer installment loans for eligible credit and debit cards. These features will roll out with iOS 18, scheduled to launch in the fall alongside new iPhones.

Conclusion

While Apple Pay Later is no longer available, Apple is gearing up to launch a new, globally accessible installment payment service. This initiative, combined with other innovative payment features, underscores Apple’s ongoing commitment to enhancing user-friendly financial solutions.

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Elon Musk is considering banning iPhones across all his companies following Apple’s announcement of new OpenAI integrations at WWDC 2024. In a series of posts on X, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI expressed concerns, stating that if Apple integrates OpenAI at the operating system level, Apple devices would be prohibited from his businesses. Visitors would have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they would be stored in a Faraday cage.

Musk’s posts seem to misinterpret the partnership announced by Apple and OpenAI, or at the very least, he casts doubt on user privacy. While Apple and OpenAI emphasized that users must give consent before any questions, documents, or photos are sent to ChatGPT, Musk argues that OpenAI’s integration into Apple’s OS could potentially access private data.

In iOS 18, Apple revealed that users could ask Siri questions, and if ChatGPT could provide a better answer, Siri would request permission to share the question and present the answer directly. This feature allows users to get responses from ChatGPT without opening the ChatGPT app. The same process applies to sharing photos, PDFs, or other documents with ChatGPT.

However, Musk prefers that OpenAI’s functionalities remain confined to a dedicated app rather than integrated with Siri.

Responding to Sam Pullara, VC and CTO at Sutter Hill Ventures, who noted that user approval is required for each request and OpenAI does not have device access, Musk replied, “Then leave it as an app. This is bullshit.”

Pullara explained that the ChatGPT integration is similar to how the current ChatGPT app operates. The on-device AI models are either developed by Apple or utilize Apple’s Private Cloud.

In response to a post by YouTuber Marques Brownlee, which provided further clarification on Apple Intelligence, Musk stated, “Apple using the words ‘protect your privacy’ while handing your data over to a third-party AI that they don’t understand and can’t themselves create is not protecting privacy at all!”

Musk also responded to a post by Apple CEO Tim Cook, threatening to ban Apple devices from his companies’ premises if Cook didn’t “stop this creepy spyware.”

“It’s absurd that Apple isn’t capable of creating their own AI yet claims to ensure OpenAI will protect your security & privacy,” Musk exclaimed. “Apple has no clue what’s happening once they hand your data over to OpenAI. They’re selling you down the river,” he added. Although Apple may not fully understand OpenAI’s inner workings, it’s technically the user’s choice to share data, not Apple’s.

Apple also announced an integration allowing users to access ChatGPT system-wide within Writing Tools via a “compose” feature. This feature lets users ask ChatGPT to write a bedtime story for a child or generate images to complement their writing. Users will be able to access ChatGPT for free without needing to create an account, which is excellent news for OpenAI as it anticipates a significant increase in requests from Apple users.

Musk appears to leverage user privacy concerns to gain attention. If users could choose their preferred AI bot for Siri or writing help, such as Anthropic’s Claude or xAI’s Grok, Musk might not voice such strong objections. (Apple hinted at the potential integration of Google Gemini in a post-keynote session.)

Apple reassured users that their requests and information are not logged, but ChatGPT subscribers can connect their accounts to access paid features within Apple’s AI experiences.

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“Users control when ChatGPT is used and will be asked before any information is shared. ChatGPT integration will come to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia later this year,” said Apple SVP of Software Engineering Craig Federighi. These features will be available only on iPhone Pro 15 models and devices with M1 or newer chips.

OpenAI echoed this sentiment in its blog post, noting that “requests are not stored by OpenAI, and users’ IP addresses are obscured. Users can also connect their ChatGPT account, meaning their data preferences will apply under ChatGPT’s policies.” This refers to the optional ability to connect the feature with a paid subscription.

Apple’s iMessage and Messages app in iOS 18 are set to introduce two highly anticipated features: the ability to schedule messages and support for RCS, a next-gen messaging standard. These updates will significantly enhance the user experience, especially for those communicating with Android users.

Groundbreaking Messaging Features in iOS 18

Introduction of Text Scheduling

For years, iPhone users have sought the ability to schedule messages. Until now, they’ve had to rely on third-party apps or cumbersome workarounds. iOS 18 changes this by allowing users to schedule messages directly within the Messages app. This feature is ideal for business professionals, night owls, and anyone who wants to ensure their messages are sent at the perfect time without waking someone up or missing important events.

Embracing RCS for Enhanced Messaging

The most significant update, however, is the support for Rich Communication Services (RCS). This next-gen messaging standard is set to replace SMS, resolving many issues faced when texting Android users. RCS will bring improved features such as typing indicators, read receipts, and higher quality media sharing, bridging the gap between iOS and Android communication.

The Push for RCS Adoption

Google’s Advocacy and EU Regulations

Google has long advocated for Apple’s adoption of RCS to streamline communication between iOS and Android users. The ongoing “green bubble” debate, highlighted by the Wall Street Journal, has emphasized the need for a unified messaging standard. Although the EU ruled that iMessage wasn’t popular enough to mandate interoperability, regulatory scrutiny likely influenced Apple’s decision to support RCS.

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Addressing Longstanding Issues

Apple’s reluctance to adopt RCS has historically led to a subpar messaging experience with Android users, including lack of end-to-end encryption, no typing indicators, and low-quality media. With iOS 18, Apple aims to resolve these issues, although RCS messages will still appear as green bubbles on Apple devices.

Future Improvements and Encryption

Apple has indicated plans to work with the GSMA to introduce end-to-end encryption for RCS, though this won’t be available at launch. This future update promises to enhance security and privacy for cross-platform messaging.

The introduction of message scheduling and RCS support in iOS 18 marks a significant improvement for Apple’s Messages app. These features cater to user demands for greater functionality and smoother communication with Android devices. As Apple continues to refine these updates, users can look forward to a more seamless and enriched messaging experience.

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