{{Short description|Audio-based group chat services}} '''Social audio''' is a subclass of social media that designates social media platforms that use audio as their primary channel of communication. This can include text messages, podcasts, tools for recording and editing audio in addition to virtual audio rooms.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-28|title=Your Guide to Social Audio: Clubhouse and Other Voice-Based Social Media|url=https://www.voices.com/blog/guide-to-social-audio/|access-date=2021-07-25|website=Voices|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-24|title=How 'social audio' is making all the noise now|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/social/clubhouse-and-the-rise-of-social-audio-is-making-all-the-noise-now-7373876/|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
== History == In March 2020, Alpha Exploration Co. launched a social audio application called Clubhouse on the iOS platform. The app has led to the emergence of a new social media segment known as social audio. Soon realizing the potential of this segment, a handful of companies came out with their social audio solutions as standalone products or as an expansion to their current products. Clubhouse being the pioneer in this segment, all competitors eventually adapted its features to their products.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-27|title=What is Clubhouse, the iOS-only social audio app that is gaining traction|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/social/what-is-clubhouse-the-ios-only-social-audio-app-that-is-gaining-traction-7163668/|access-date=2021-07-25|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Isaac|first=Mike|date=2021-02-10|title=Facebook Is Said to Be Building a Product to Compete With Clubhouse|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/10/technology/facebook-building-product-clubhouse.html|access-date=2021-07-25|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Betty Labs launched their social audio app Locker Room for iOS a few months later in October.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Locker Room App Gives Fans a New Way to Connect and Talk Sports|url=https://www.insidehook.com/daily_brief/sports/locker-room-app-fans-connect-talk-sports|access-date=2021-08-09|website=InsideHook|language=en-US}}</ref> Twitter then announced in November that it would develop a social audio feature on its platform.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twitter rolls out Stories, aka 'Fleets,' to all users; will also test a Clubhouse rival|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/11/17/twitter-rolls-out-stories-aka-fleets-to-all-users-will-also-test-a-clubhouse-rival/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref> In December 2020, Telegram introduced the social audio feature Voice Chats in its app.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-23|title=Voice Chats Done Right|url=https://telegram.org/blog/voice-chats|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Telegram}}</ref> Within the month, Twitter began beta testing its social audio feature known as Spaces with iOS users on their platform.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twitter launches its voice-based 'Spaces' social networking feature into beta testing|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/12/17/twitter-launches-its-voice-based-spaces-social-networking-feature-into-beta-testing/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref>
Facebook announced plans to add social audio functionality to its app in January 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carman |first=Ashley |date=2021-02-10 |title=Facebook is reportedly working on a Clubhouse copy |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/10/22276645/facebook-clubhouse-social-audio-app-develop |access-date=2021-08-09 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Isaac|first=Mike|date=2021-02-10|title=Facebook Is Said to Be Building a Product to Compete With Clubhouse|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/10/technology/facebook-building-product-clubhouse.html|access-date=2021-08-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and Twitter started beta testing Spaces with Android users in March.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Twitter Spaces arrives on Android ahead of Clubhouse|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/02/twitter-spaces-arrives-on-android-ahead-of-clubhouse/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref> Telegram released Voice Chat 2.0 around the same time.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Telegram Voice Chats 2.0 Released to Rival Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/telegram-voice-chats-2-0-launch-calls-unlimited-participants-clubhouse-twitter-spaces-2396508|access-date=2021-08-09|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=22 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-19|title=Voice Chats 2.0: Channels, Millions of Listeners, Recorded Chats, Admin Tools|url=https://telegram.org/blog/voice-chats-on-steroids/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Telegram}}</ref> On March 26, 2021, Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield announced that Slack would soon roll out a social audio feature.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-03-26|title=Everyone is aping Clubhouse. Now, Slack is doing it too!|url=https://pocketnow.com/slack-is-getting-clubhouse-like-audio-chatrooms-and-i-absolutely-dont-want-it|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Pocketnow|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Constine|first=Josh|title=Taming the hybrid work chimera: Tips from Slack, WordPress, & Salesforce chiefs|url=https://constine.substack.com/p/taming-the-hybrid-work-chimera-tips|access-date=2021-08-09|website=constine.substack.com|date=26 March 2021 }}</ref> Spotify then purchased Betty Labs and announced its intention to rename the Locker Room app.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Steele|first=Anne|date=2021-03-30|title=Spotify Acquires Sports-Talk App Locker Room|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/spotify-acquires-sports-talk-app-locker-room-11617109208|access-date=2021-08-09|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> On March 31, 2021, Discord introduced its social audio feature called Stage Channels.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-02|title=Discord introduces Clubhouse-like Stage Channels feature for live audio conversations|url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/discord-introduces-clubhouse-like-stage-channels-feature-for-live-audio-conversations-9490401.html|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Tech2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Peters|first=Jay|date=2021-03-31|title=Discord's new Clubhouse-like feature, Stage Channels, is available now|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/31/22356682/discord-stage-channels-clubhouse-like-feature-voice|access-date=2021-08-09|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> In April, Facebook launched a social audio product called Hotline in closed beta, requiring a Twitter account to login.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Facebook tests Hotline, a Q&A product that's a mashup of Clubhouse and Instagram Live|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/07/facebook-tests-hotline-a-qa-product-thats-a-mashup-of-clubhouse-and-instagram-live/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref> Reddit also announced a social audio feature, known as Reddit Talk.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reddit Talk is a Clubhouse competitor for subreddits|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/19/22391875/reddit-talk-clubhouse-social-audio|access-date=2021-08-09|website=www.theverge.com|date=19 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-20|title=Reddit Talk is the latest Clubhouse-rival|url=https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/reddit-talk-is-the-latest-clubhouserival-71618890871671.html|access-date=2021-08-09|website=HT Tech|language=en}}</ref>
On May 3, 2021, Twitter Spaces released globally.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Salvador |date=2021-05-03 |title=Twitter launches Spaces live-audio rooms to all users with more than 600 followers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/03/twitter-launches-spaces-live-audio-rooms-to-all-users.html |access-date=2021-08-10 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lyons|first=Kim|date=2021-05-03|title=Twitter will now let anyone with 600 or more followers host its audio Spaces on mobile|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/3/22413033/twitter-spaces-android-ios-ticket-schedule-clubhouse-captions|access-date=2021-08-10|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> Clubhouse launched a beta version of the Android app for users in the US on May 9, and worldwide on May 21.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lyons|first=Kim|date=2021-05-09|title=Clubhouse comes to Android after more than a year of iOS exclusivity|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/9/22424399/clubhouse-android-app-release-date-news-features|access-date=2021-08-09|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Clubhouse is now available worldwide on Android|url=https://www.engadget.com/the-clubhouse-android-app-is-now-available-worldwide-082506070.html|access-date=2021-08-09|website=Engadget|date=21 May 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref> On June 16, 2021, Spotify released its social audio app Spotify Greenroom on Android and iOS.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spotify launches its live audio app and Clubhouse rival, Spotify Greenroom|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/16/spotify-launches-its-live-audio-app-and-clubhouse-rival-spotify-greenroom/|access-date=2021-08-09|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref> On June 21, 2021, Facebook released its social audio feature known as Live Audio Rooms to users based in the United States. The company said it would deploy the feature globally in the coming months.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Menegus|first=Bryan|date=2021-06-21|title=Facebook's Clubhouse competitor starts rolling out in the US today|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/21/22540508/facebook-live-audio-rooms-clubhouse-rival-spaces-greenhouse|access-date=2021-08-09|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> On June 30, 2021, Slack started rolling out its social audio solution named Slack Huddles for paid customers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=2021-06-30|title=Slack launches Huddles, Discord-like audio calls you can hop in and out of|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/30/22556992/slack-huddles-audio-calls-feature-launch-discord-like|access-date=2021-08-09|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pocket-lint|date=2021-07-02|title=What are Slack Huddles and how do they work? - Pocket-lint|url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/157548-what-are-slack-huddles-and-how-do-they-work|access-date=2021-08-09|website=www.pocket-lint.com|language=en-gb}}</ref> On July 21, 2021, the Clubhouse beta ended with the launch of a full release.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yeo|first=Amanda|date=2021-07-21|title=Clubhouse is finally open to everyone|url=https://mashable.com/article/clubhouse-signup-invite-open|access-date=2021-07-21|website=Mashable|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Clubhouse is now out of beta and open to everyone|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/07/21/clubhouse-invite-open-to-everyone-exits-beta/|access-date=2021-07-21|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Common features == * Chat rooms in which users can converse through shared audio recordings, typically in real-time. * Traditional text and rich-media-based chat.
==List of platforms==
'''Telegram Voice Chats'''
In December 2020, Telegram introduced the social audio feature ''Voice Chats'' in its app. Later, in March 2021, Telegram released ''Voice Chat 2.0''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Telegram Voice Chats 2.0 Released to Rival Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/telegram-voice-chats-2-0-launch-calls-unlimited-participants-clubhouse-twitter-spaces-2396508|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=22 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=March 19, 2021|title=Voice Chats 2.0: Channels, Millions of Listeners, Recorded Chats, Admin Tools|url=https://telegram.org/blog/voice-chats-on-steroids/|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=Telegram}}</ref> It allows unlimited participants and conversation recording.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 21, 2021|title=What are Telegram Voice Chats 2.0 and how do they work?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/social/telegram-launches-voice-chats-2-0-to-take-on-clubhouse-spaces-7238136/|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Telegram Voice Chats 2.0 Released to Rival Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/telegram-voice-chats-2-0-launch-calls-unlimited-participants-clubhouse-twitter-spaces-2396508|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=22 March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
'''Discord Stages'''
On March 31, 2021, Discord introduced its social audio feature called ''Stage Channels''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 2, 2021|title=Discord introduces Clubhouse-like Stage Channels feature for live audio conversations|url=https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/discord-introduces-clubhouse-like-stage-channels-feature-for-live-audio-conversations-9490401.html|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=Tech2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Peters|first=Jay|date=March 31, 2021|title=Discord's new Clubhouse-like feature, Stage Channels, is available now|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/31/22356682/discord-stage-channels-clubhouse-like-feature-voice|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref>
'''Facebook Live Audio Rooms and Podcasts'''
In April 2021, The Facebook NPE team launched a product called ''Hotline'' in closed beta, requiring a Twitter account to login. It offers a room where only some people can speak while others listen. Also, speakers can turn on video.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Facebook tests Hotline, a Q&A product that's a mashup of Clubhouse and Instagram Live|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/07/facebook-tests-hotline-a-qa-product-thats-a-mashup-of-clubhouse-and-instagram-live/|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref>
On June 21, 2021, Facebook has released its social audio feature known as ''Live Audio Rooms and Podcasts'' to users based in the United States. The company said it would deploy the feature globally in the coming months. It enables users to participate in the rooms with a maximum of 51 people (1 host and 50 speakers) onstage and an unlimited number of listeners. Also, provide access to a podcast library for its users.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Facebook officially launches Live Audio Rooms and podcasts in the US|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/21/facebook-officially-launches-live-audio-rooms-and-podcasts-in-the-u-s/|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Menegus|first=Bryan|date=June 21, 2021|title=Facebook's Clubhouse competitor starts rolling out in the US today|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/21/22540508/facebook-live-audio-rooms-clubhouse-rival-spaces-greenhouse|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref>
'''Reddit Talk'''
In April 2021, Reddit announced a social audio feature called ''Reddit Talk'' for their subreddit communities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reddit Talk is a Clubhouse competitor for subreddits|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/19/22391875/reddit-talk-clubhouse-social-audio|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=www.theverge.com|date=April 19, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 20, 2021|title=Reddit Talk is the latest Clubhouse-rival|url=https://tech.hindustantimes.com/tech/news/reddit-talk-is-the-latest-clubhouserival-71618890871671.html|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=HT Tech|language=en}}</ref>
'''Twitter Spaces'''
On May 3, 2021, Twitter added a social audio feature named ''Spaces'' to its platform.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Salvador|date=May 3, 2021|title=Twitter launches Spaces live-audio rooms to all users with more than 600 followers|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/03/twitter-launches-spaces-live-audio-rooms-to-all-users.html|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lyons|first=Kim|date=May 3, 2021|title=Twitter will now let anyone with 600 or more followers host its audio Spaces on mobile|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/3/22413033/twitter-spaces-android-ios-ticket-schedule-clubhouse-captions|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> It allows users to engage in rooms with a maximum of 13 people (1 host, 2 co-hosts, and 10 speakers) onstage and an unlimited number of listeners.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gartenberg|first=Chaim|date=August 5, 2021|title=Twitter Spaces adds co-host option to help moderate and manage rooms|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/5/22611609/twitter-spaces-co-host-feature-moderate-manage-social-audio-rooms|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=About Twitter Spaces|url=https://help.twitter.com/en/using-twitter/spaces|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=help.twitter.com|language=en}}</ref>
Spaces is much further ahead in development than Clubhouse, with integration into the Twitter API that enables app integration.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Peters|first=Jay|date=August 18, 2021|title=Twitter is making it easier for other apps to point to Spaces|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/18/22631036/twitter-spaces-developers-api-v2|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref> In July 2021, Twitter announced a 'Voice Transformer' feature that would work in Spaces to change your voice.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Espósito|first=Filipe|date=July 22, 2021|title=Twitter Spaces implementing 'Voice Transformer' feature with multiple voice effects for users|url=https://9to5mac.com/2021/07/21/twitter-spaces-implementing-voice-transformer-feature-with-multiple-voice-effects-for-users/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=9to5Mac|language=en-US}}</ref> Twitter also poached Clubhouse's exclusive NFL deal with 20 official NFL Spaces scheduled for the 2021-22 season.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=July 8, 2021|title=NFL, Twitter Expand Partnership to Include 20-Plus Twitter Spaces Live-Audio Chats Next Season|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/nfl-twitter-spaces-partnership-renewed-1235014628/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Spotify Greenroom'''
On June 16, 2021, Spotify released its social audio app ''Spotify Greenroom''. Greenroom has built-in recording and integrates into both Spotify and Anchor.fm. This integration allows podcasters to record rooms and upload directly to podcast for distribution. It also notifies Spotify listeners when a verified artist is live in Greenroom. Greenroom can currently accommodate up to 1000 people in a room.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spotify launches its live audio app and Clubhouse rival, Spotify Greenroom|url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/16/spotify-launches-its-live-audio-app-and-clubhouse-rival-spotify-greenroom/|access-date=August 10, 2021|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref>
'''Slack Huddles'''
On June 30, 2021, Slack started rolling out its social audio solution named ''Slack Huddles'' for paid customers. It can take up to 50 participants at a time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=June 30, 2021|title=Slack launches Huddles, Discord-like audio calls you can hop in and out of|url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/30/22556992/slack-huddles-audio-calls-feature-launch-discord-like|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 2, 2021|title=What are Slack Huddles and how do they work? - Pocket-lint|url=https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/157548-what-are-slack-huddles-and-how-do-they-work|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=www.pocket-lint.com|language=en-gb}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Social audio Category:Collaborative projects Category:Social networks