Meta Launches Threads, A Superyacht Expansion, $1B GC Mega Mall Refurb + more
Discover more from The GC Minute
Meta Launches Threads, A Superyacht Expansion, $1B GC Mega Mall Refurb + more
Today’s newsletter is 1010 words: 4 minute read.
Thursday, July 6.
Happy financial new year💰
📚 Need a read? Here’s Bill Gates’ take on a book about Warren Buffet
In today’s email
Tech Titan Battle: Meta launches Threads to take on Twitter
Superyacht Club: Our mega superyacht facility to double in size
Mega Mall Development: $1b to redo Tweed Mall on the border
Trending: Another GC Reddit post.. about Cannabis
Around the Web (Snippets): NIB buys Kynd, NASA x Australian join forces to mine the Moon, Regulating Sprinbrook water mining and more!
Don’t forget - GC Startup Ecosystem Drinks This Arvo - An event you shouldn’t miss if you’re into business, tech and startups on the Gold Coast
Live Gold Coast Housing Prices
Gold Coast weekend weather and surf and footy:
Big Thing: Threads Or Not, Meta Takes On Twitter
Happening Now
In a bold move against Twitter, Meta debuted Threads in the last 48 hours, its latest 'text-based conversation' app.
Like Twitter, and literally designed to take it over, Threads allow users to do the same old things like post, like, reply, repost messages, etc.
Early Bird Worms
Surprising its users, Meta launched the app a day ahead of its original July 6 release date in Apple's App Store.
The sudden availability ignited immediate user interest, with 2 million downloads in the first two hours.
Adding to the excitement, Meta teased its billions of users with cheat codes "Thread" or "Threads" on Instagram, allowing early sign-ups for downloads and generating considerable buzz.
Zoom in
Instagram users can conveniently follow the same accounts on Threads, fostering rapid follower base growth.
Launched in 100 countries but excluding the EU due to privacy concerns, Threads allows 500 characters of text, a comfortable upgrade from Twitter's 280 for non-payers.
Pulling strings on the Twittsphere
Threads enter the social media stage at a crucial moment for Twitter, which has seen controversies, including advertiser losses, user alienation, and backlash due to Musk's decision to put limits on how much users can do on the platform.
Consequently, some users dub Threads a 'Twitter killer,' suggesting potential mass migration.
Unravelling The Thread
Despite the excitement, critics voice mega concerns over data privacy, and given, Meta’s track record, we’re a bit worried too.
In short, information about the app’s privacy via mandatory disclosures required on iOS shows the app collects highly sensitive user info to profile their digital activity, i.e. health and financial data, precise location, browsing history, contacts, search history and other sensitive information.
What to look for next
As the hardcore competition between Zuckerberg and Musk even tipped over into a potential physical fight, there’s no doubt we’re in the middle of a titan tech battle for the ages.
2. Superyacht Club
Happening now
The Boat Works, Southern Hemisphere's top-tier superyacht facility, is set for another major expansion.
The $30 million investment will see the Coomera-based facility double in size over the next 18 months.
On a Winning Wave
Since its inception in 2020, the facility's 70 sheds have maxed out.
CEO Tony Longhurst asserts the upgrade responds to the burgeoning demand for more covered storage.
What Recession..?
The Boat Works has crafted a dual-world-class yard, balancing exceptional facilities and customer service.
The 22-ha site employs over 80 marine professionals who service more than 5,000 boats annually.
Expansion plans include 50% more sheds and parking, new workshops, 90t machinery, and a two-story commercial centre.
What the people say
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate praises The Boat Works' embodiment of the city's innovative spirit.
He welcomes worldwide boat enthusiasts to experience their upgraded facilities.
Up next
David Good, CEO AIMEX-Superyacht Australia, acknowledges the booming domestic market and says with the Brisbane 2032 Olympics on the horizon, the demand for refit and maintenance facilities is predicted to skyrocket across the city.
3. Tweed Mall Mega $1b Upgrade
Happening now
A stone’s throw over the border, the Tweed Shopping Mall, previously modest, is up for almost a $1 billion makeover by Sydney-based Elanor Investors Group.
Zoom in
The project includes 13 buildings, reaching 15 stories, transforming 178,601 sqm into mixed-use space for evolving community needs.
With a variety of 1,371 townhouses and apartments, alongside three supermarkets and a fresh food market, it’ll apparently be designed to promote a lively lifestyle.
Also, with a 52-key hotel spanning 4,537 sqm, it’ll aim to foster local tourism; throw in some integrated office space, a medical centre, a cinema complex, a childcare centre, and a wellness centre.
What next?
With areas around the planned facility still known as ‘crack alley’, we’ll soon see whether the product wants to become integrated or to gentrify the surroundings..
4. Trending
GC Reddit, again.
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
NASA and Australia: Join hands to mine the moon
NIB acquires Gold Coast’s: Kynd - an online marketplace for users of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
On this day: In 1996, Dolly the sheep became the first successfully cloned mammal. She lived for six years, giving birth to four sheep
Australia’s top health executives: Are paying attention to Gold Coast tech startups
AI is out of control: And the OpenAi team to tame it
50 million litres of Springbrook water: Is extracted for bottled drinking water with unknown impacts
Lion buys the other 50%: Of Four Pillars Gin, but our local Wildflower Gin is still better
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