Facebook will announce a series of products under the umbrella of "social audio" on April 19th, including its take on audio-chat app Clubhouse and a push into podcast discovery and distribution, Recode reported on Sunday. These plans include an audio version of Rooms, a video-conferencing product Facebook launched a year ago. The Clubhouse-like product will let groups of people listen to and interact with speakers on a virtual "stage", the report added.
Facebook will also launch a product allowing its users to record brief voice messages and post them in their newsfeeds, and a podcast discovery product that will be connected with Spotify, according to the report, which cited sources.
Sawtik from @SpotifyArabia is providing emerging Arab female talent with networking opportunities, education and marketing support in a bid to encourage success in their musical careers.https://t.co/pax4D6h2RA
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) November 21, 2020
The announcement will be made on Monday but some products will not show up for a while, the report added. Facebook started public testing of a new application dubbed Hotline earlier this month, where creators can speak and take live questions from an audience.
This Q&A product combines audio with text and video elements and comes as social media platforms experiment with a rush of new live audio features. The success of the invite-only, year-old app Clubhouse, which has reported 10 million weekly active users, has demonstrated the potential of audio chat services, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Mo Show Podcast is where it's at.https://t.co/cDqXlxAJcJ
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) February 19, 2021
Twitter Inc has been testing its audio feature Spaces and Facebook is also dabbling with a live audio room offering within its Messenger Rooms.
