Sorry Clubhouse, Twitter is planning to bring Twitter Spaces to every user in April. Yes, that means Android users too.
This is perhaps the biggest threat to Clubhouse yet.
Related | Reddit Is Secretly Working On A Clubhouse-Like Audio Feature
Facebook, LinkedIn, and even Reddit, it seems every platform is working on a Clubhouse-clone. But Twitter Spaces is probably the biggest threat to the social audio app. In April, Twitter plans to roll out its audio feature to all users globally. And of course, Twitter Spaces will be available to iOS and Android users (Clubhouse is still invite-only, and only on iOS.)
Clubhouse will forever be the precursor. The app took the Internet by storm since last year as big names like Elon Musk have joined its platform to take part in audio chats. But the platform’s growth is stalling, as it remains invite-only. And I am worried that Clubhouse will soon meet the same destiny as live-streaming apps like Meerkat or Periscope.
Twitter launched its own audio feature but so far only a small group of users have been able to host their own audio chats. Everyone can join and participate, but you have to follow someone who can start Spaces in order to join one.
But last Wednesday, Twitter announced plans to change that as it will aim to make Twitter Spaces available for all users before the end of April.
The company also has plans to encourage more users to start Spaces, as noted by Jane Manchun Wong, who uncovered a “Tip Jar” option connected to Twitter Spaces. The screenshots of the feature posted to her Twitter account show the ability for a user to attach their PayPal, Cash App, Patreon, Venmo, or Bandcamp username.
Twitter is working on Tip Jar in @TwitterSpaces,
letting you enter your usernames on Bandcamp, Cash App, Patreon, PayPal and Venmo, allowing people to tip you directly there pic.twitter.com/xhCxCTjWnO
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) March 10, 2021
Twitter Spaces work in a very similar way to Clubhouse’s. But Twitter also said it is planning to make the audio chats and transcripts from Spaces downloadable, making it easier for Creators to repurpose their content for other social media platforms. And that could be a big win against Clubhouse too.