New Delhi: In an attempt to take on Facebook's Live Audio Rooms and podcasts, reports suggest that Clubhouse is working on its own private messaging feature. Facebook had on Monday launched Live Audio Rooms on its platforms for public figures and selected users in the US
Club House, the invite-only audio meet app appears to have accidentally leaked a private messaging feature called Backchannel to some users late last week.
According to a report in The Verge, Backchannel is likely to let users chat via text instead of audio, just like WhatsApp or Telegram. It is still unclear whether Clubhouse will eventually launch this messaging feature or not.
Reacting to the development, a company spokesperson was quoted as saying in the report that Club House regularly explores and tests potential features.
"These functions sometimes become part of the app, sometimes they don't. We do not comment on potential features," the spokesperson added in the report.
Meanwhile, Companies like Facebook and Spotify are launching a copycat service to take on Clubhouse which has grown in popularity.
In the coming weeks, Facebook will expand the capacity for more public figures and Groups to host a Live Audio Room and introduce new features. People on iOS and Android can discover Live Audio Rooms to join from places like News Feed and via notifications.
Public figures can invite friends, followers, verified public figures, or any listeners in the room to be a speaker. The host can invite speakers in advance or during the conversation. There can be up to 50 speakers, and there's no limit to the number of listeners, Facebook said in a statement.
"In Groups, admins can control whether moderators, group members or other admins can create a Live Audio Room. In public Groups, both members and visitors can listen to the Live Audio Room, but in private Groups, only members can listen," informed Fidji Simo, Head of Facebook App.
Live Audio Room hosts can also select a nonprofit or fundraiser to support during their conversation, and listeners and speakers can directly donate. People on iOS and Android can discover Live Audio Rooms to join from places like News Feed and via notifications.
On Facebook Live Audio Room, listeners can also offer support and show appreciation to the public figure host by sending Stars, which bumps those listeners up to the "front row."
Facebook said that people can listen to podcasts while browsing the platform, via a mini player or full-screen player experience with playback options, including with their phone display turned off. People can listen to select podcast creators on their Facebook Pages, as well as in News Feed.
Facebook also informed that it rolls out additional features, like captions and the ability to create and share short clips of a podcast later this summer. The company also added that it will also refine the 'Soundbites' experience before it launches later this year.
"We'll also soon start testing our other audio products like the central listening destination and background audio listening for videos," said Facebook.
Apart from Facebook, as podcasts become a rage, Swedish music streaming company Spotify has acquired a startup called Podz for an undisclosed sum. Spotify has also launched Greenroom, its live audio Clubhouse rival.
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions now allow creators to host bonus content and ad-free versions of their shows, in exchange for a monthly subscription. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions are now available for listeners in more than 170 countries and regions.