X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has announced a major upgrade to its audio chatroom feature, Spaces. Hosts of Spaces sessions can now broadcast live video alongside the usual audio discussions, adding a new dimension of interactivity and engagement to the feature.
Spaces is X’s answer to Clubhouse, the popular audio-only social network that launched in 2020. Spaces allows users to create and join live audio conversations with other users, similar to a podcast or a radio show. Users can also co-host, invite speakers, react with emojis, and send tips to the hosts.
However, Spaces has now gone a step further by allowing hosts to enable their camera and show their face, or anything else they want to share, during the live session. This means that users can now enjoy both audio and video content in Spaces, making it more versatile and appealing than Clubhouse.
A platform user, @jessicagarson, was the first to notice this feature addition and posted a screenshot of her experience on X. The official X account later confirmed it and said that the feature is rolling out gradually to all iOS users. There is no official word on when the feature will be available for Android and web users, but X said that they are working on it.
spaces are now CAMERA ON (if u like) https://t.co/yukiqhyvf6
— X (@X) February 28, 2024
X already offers live video broadcasting through its Periscope app, which it acquired in 2015. However, Periscope is shutting down in April 2024, and X is integrating its live video capabilities into its main platform. Spaces is one of the ways that X is leveraging live video to create more engaging and interactive conversations on its platform.
While only the host can go live with their video, other participants can still join the conversation by speaking or co-hosting, as long as they have the host’s permission. The host can also mute or remove participants and control who can speak or request to speak. The host can also end the live video at any time or switch back to audio-only mode.
However, as with any new feature, there are some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. Some users who have tried the feature have reported lags and glitches when video is enabled, and landscape mode can make it difficult for hosts to manage their space since the video takes up most of the screen space.
Another issue is that desktop users who join a space that involves a video broadcast will not be able to see the video feed yet and will only be able to listen to the audio. Moreover, the video feed will only be visible during the live Space session and will not be recorded or archived. If users want to access recorded spaces, they will still be audio-only for now.
Despite these drawbacks, the video integration within Spaces opens a new world of possibilities for more dynamic and visually engaging conversations on X. As the feature rolls out wider and gets further refined, we can expect to see even more innovative ways to use Spaces for things like virtual events, panel discussions, interviews, and interactive presentations.
Spaces is one of the ways that X is trying to reinvent itself and attract more users after changing its name from Twitter in January 2024. The name change was part of a rebranding strategy to reflect the platform’s evolution from a microblogging site to a social media network that offers a variety of features and services, such as newsletters, podcasts, e-commerce, and tipping.
X said that the name change was also a way to distance itself from the controversies and criticisms that plagued Twitter in the past, such as its role in spreading misinformation, hate speech, and harassment. X said that it is committed to creating a safer and more inclusive platform for its users and that it will continue to introduce new features and improvements to enhance the user experience.
Spaces is one of the features that X hopes will help it compete with other social media giants, such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, which also offer live video and audio options. However, Spaces has the unique advantage of being integrated with X’s existing user base, content, and network, which could give it an edge over its rivals.
If you are interested in trying out Spaces, you can find it on the bottom right corner of your X app, where you can see the active Spaces that you can join or create your own Space. You can also find Spaces on your timeline or on the profiles of users who are hosting or speaking in a Space. If you are an iOS user, you may also have the option to go live with your video and share your face or your screen with your audience.
Spaces is a feature that is constantly evolving and improving, based on user feedback and suggestions. X said that it welcomes any input from its users on how to make Spaces better and that it will keep updating and testing new features and functionalities for Spaces. X also said that it is excited to see how users will use Spaces to create and join live audio and video conversations on its platform.