Facebook unveils big audio push, adds podcasts, live rooms to take on Clubhouse ANI | Updated: Apr 20, 2021 14:50 IST
Washington [US], April 20 (ANI): Tech giant Facebook is jumping on the audio entertainment and messaging bandwagon. On Monday, the company announced that it is adding podcasts, live audio rooms, and other audio-only features.
As per Variety, on Monday, the tech giant outlined a road map of features, including integrating Spotify s music and podcast player, that it s planning to bring to the Facebook app.
Facebook plans to launch Spotify s audio player, a project called Project Boombox , starting next week. It will provide access to songs and podcasts directly within the Facebook app.
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Facebook launching Clubhouse rival this summer
Alarmed at the popularity of invite-only audio chat app Clubhouse, Facebook is launching a similar product called Live Audio Rooms which will also be available on Messenger this summer. Announcing multiple social audio products, the company said on Monday that it will test Live Audio Rooms in Groups, making it available to the 1.8 billion people using Groups every month and tens of millions of active communities on Facebook. As part of this initial rollout, we ll also bring Live Audio Rooms to public figures so they can host conversations with other public figures, experts and fans, said Fidji Simo, Head of Facebook App.
Published: April 20, 2021 1:57 PM IST
Facebook had launched the public beta testing of its audio-only social media platform reportedly called Live Audio Rooms a few days ago and now the social network giant has confirmed that it will be launching the service this summer. Also Read - Facebook to take on Clubhouse, Zoom with social audio products launch
The company announced multiple products yesterday that emphasise voice content over images, video and texts. Facebook has also said that the feature will be released only for a select number of users initially and will be available in a few months. Also Read - Facebook to soon allow Messenger users to directly chat with WhatsApp users on the platform
Dive Brief:
Facebook plans to start testing a feature called Live Audio Rooms wherein public figures can host discussions around various topics with fans listening in, the company said on Monday in a blog post. Live Audio Rooms will be piloted in Groups and then expand to Facebook s chat app Messenger, with the goal of having a wide rollout by the summer.
Facebook also revealed it would integrate podcasts into its main app within the next few months, as well as discovery tools for finding new programs. Facebook wants to help podcast creators better connect with new listeners and monetize their content directly through its platform.
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Facebook announced a slew of new social audio products as the company underscores the importance of building audio tools and formats that connect people amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Most of these produces are still in the testing phase and will be launched in the coming months, the company said.
The National looks at the major products/services announced by the world’s biggest social networking platform.
Facebook’s take on Clubhouse
Facebook announced its own version of the popular Clubhouse app that allows groups of people to listen and interact with speakers on an online stage.
The new platform, called Live Audio Rooms, will be available to all users on the Facebook app by June, the company said. It will also be available to public figures to host conversations.