Meta’s Threads Adds Native GIF Picker and Polls In a Bid To Rival X

Highlights

Threads app introduces native GIF picker.
New update includes in-app polling with up to four choices.
Poll duration currently fixed at 24 hours, no options for modification.
Android keyboard-based GIF insertions still not supported.

In its ongoing quest to catapult Threads into the billion-user club, Meta is infusing the app with intriguing features.

According to a recent announcement by Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s latest update to Threads includes a native GIF picker and poll functionalities.

While the introduction of a native GIF picker is a welcome change, it’s worth noting that Threads continues to restrict Android keyboard-based GIF insertions.

This limitation, which comes despite the widespread compatibility seen in other applications, has caused some discontent among Android users.

The Latest Additions to Threads

Latest Additions to Threads

Let’s delve into the specifics.
The newly launched GIF picker within the app is Threads’ native solution for animated images.

While Android users may be disappointed by the lack of support for GIF insertions via keyboards like Gboard, the native feature does offer a semblance of that experience within the Threads environment.

On the other hand, the polls feature has been implemented in a straightforward manner. Users are afforded the ability to include up to four choices when creating a new poll.

However, the feature currently offers little flexibility, with the poll duration fixed at 24 hours and no current options to modify it.

Interestingly, the Threads web app has yet to receive support for polls, leaving a gap in the platform’s feature parity.

Android GIF Restrictions

Though the inclusion of an in-app GIF picker is appreciated, the continued restrictions on Android’s GIF keyboard functionality have been received with some annoyance.

The message users receive when trying to use a Gboard GIF states that Threads has not yet added support for this feature.

This has raised eyebrows, especially given that most competing apps already offer this functionality.

FAQs

What new features has Threads introduced?

Threads has launched a native GIF picker and a polls feature in its latest update. Users can now add animated images and conduct polls directly within the app.

Is the GIF picker also available for Android users?

Yes, but with limitations. Although the app has its own GIF picker, it still blocks GIF insertions from Android keyboards like Gboard.

How does the new polls feature work?

Users can add up to four choices while creating a new poll in Threads. The poll runs for 24 hours, and currently, there is no option to modify the time.