Facebook, a company known for ripping its ideas from competitors, has reportedly set its sights on social audio.
The New York Times reports today that the company is working on a copycat of Clubhouse, the buzzy invite-only social audio startup.
The Times reports the product is in the “early stages of development,” so it’s unclear if and when it might launch.
The news comes only five days after CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined Clubhouse and participated in a room to talk about the future of augmented and virtual reality.
His presence on the app was shocking, given it’s a new social network, so the fact that Facebook might now be cloning Clubhouse is no surprise.
The company has already done so with multiple other apps, including, most infamously, Stories, which it took from Snapchat, and Reels, its TikTok competitor that launched last year.
Twitter is also working on a Clubhouse competitor called Spaces, which is in beta at the moment.
Its team acquired social podcasting company Breaker, seemingly for its expertise in social audio, to help beef up its efforts.
Meanwhile, Mark Cuban is also at work on a live audio app called Fireside, which The Verge reported on earlier this week.
Clearly, lots of people in tech think audio will be an important format for communicating in the future, and they’re rapidly trying to get in on it before the trend dies out.
Latest Stories
-
Gov’t spokesperson on governance & security calls for probe into ballot paper errors
3 mins -
Free dialysis treatment to be available in 40 facilities from December 1 – NHIA CEO
17 mins -
NHIA will need GHC57 million annually to fund free dialysis treatment – NHIA CEO
23 mins -
MELPWU signs first-ever Collective Agreement with government
48 mins -
I’ve not been evicted from my home – Tema Central MP refutes ‘unfounded’ reports
50 mins -
After Free SHS, what next? – Alan quizzes and pledges review to empower graduates
1 hour -
Wontumi FM’s Oheneba Asiedu granted bail
2 hours -
Alan promises to amend the Constitution to limit presidential powers
2 hours -
Ghana to face liquidity pressures in 2025, 2026 despite restructuring most of its debt – Fitch
2 hours -
NPP’s record of delivering on promises is unmatched – Bawumia
2 hours -
Mahama: It’s time to dismiss the incompetent NPP government
2 hours -
Today’s front pages: Monday, November 25, 2024
2 hours -
T-bill auction: Government misses target again; interest rates continue to rise
2 hours -
We have a bad technical team; Otto Addo and his team should go – Ernest Thompson
4 hours -
Hindsight: Why Accra Lions’ present problems do not define them
4 hours