Clubhouse gets a text chat feature for live audio rooms
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Clubhouse, an audio chat app that debuted back in 2020 as an exclusive social network, is now adding a feature that seems to be contrary to its initial live audio chat purpose. 9to5Mac reports that there is a major change to the app coming, and will let users interact in voice rooms with text chat.
Clubhouse’s live audio chat was an idea that was quickly followed by competitors such as Twitter and Reddit. Now, the app is going to add a text chat option for people who don’t feel like they want to talk in the live audio chat rooms.
The app has announced in its official blog that there is a new feature that would allow everyone to be able to join live conversations, whether by voice or text. The new addition to Clubhouse’s feature set is dubbed “In-Room Chat”, and it works in a similar manner to Zoom or Skype. Basically, you will be able to chat within a live audio room.
The blog post reads that the feature will be useful to share jokes, request songs, or send emojis as reactions to what’s being talked about.
On top of that, voice room moderators will be able to delete chat messages. Basically, creators can appoint mods to keep an eye on the chat and delete messages if found inappropriate.
Understandably though, if the room has hundreds or thousands of people, the task of moderating chat comments will indeed prove to be quite difficult.
As a creator, you will also be able to delete chat messages at any moment, and even after the live session has ended. Additionally, you will be able to turn off the In-Room chat at any moment as well, if it proves to be unproductive or annoying.
Creators can choose to disable text chat when starting a new audio room if they don’t feel like having the feature. Additionally, the audience will also be able to report comments in the chat and provide feedback to moderators, so that the text chat is safe from trolls.
“The blog post reads that the feature will be useful to share jokes, request songs, or send emojis as reactions to what’s being talked about.”
Another useful feature of the In-Room chat option is that you will be able to delete your comment during the live room or after the live room has ended.
Audio rooms that have chat enabled will appear with a dedicated icon at the bottom left of the screen. When the live audio ends, all messages sent during the session will be available for reading to anyone listening to the Replay of the session.
But that’s not all the new feature is expected to bring. The social network says that the text chat will give creators an option to make quick polls or ask questions in a live chat with multiple people.
The new In-Room Chat feature is currently rolling out with the latest version of the Clubhouse app from the App Store.
As you may probably know, initially, the Clubhouse app was available only on iOS and Android devices. In January though, Clubhouse expanded its platform to the web, and with this, anyone could listen to a live chat. However, it is still not possible to join from the web as a speaker during live audio sessions.
The option to listen to a live audio chat on Clubhouse from your desktop doesn’t require you to be logged in, so basically creators can share live audio chats with multiple people (only for listening on the web though, as we said, it is not possible to join to talk from your PC or Mac).
Questions & Answers
Q.Can moderators manage inappropriate comments within the new text chat feature?
Can moderators manage inappropriate comments within the new text chat feature?
Yes, voice room moderators can delete chat messages if they are deemed inappropriate. Creators can also appoint moderators to oversee the chat, although this could be challenging in large rooms.
Q.Will users be able to access the text chat after a live audio session has finished?
Will users be able to access the text chat after a live audio session has finished?
Yes, all messages sent during the session will be available for reading to anyone listening to the Replay of the session. Creators can also delete chat messages even after the live session has ended.
Q.Does the new text chat feature allow for interactive elements like polls during a session?
Does the new text chat feature allow for interactive elements like polls during a session?
Yes, the social network states that text chat will provide creators with an option to create quick polls or ask questions in a live chat with multiple participants. This enhances interaction.
Q.Are there any options for creators to disable the new text chat feature if they do not want it?
Are there any options for creators to disable the new text chat feature if they do not want it?
Yes, creators can choose to disable the text chat when starting a new audio room. They can also turn off the In-Room chat at any moment if it becomes unproductive or annoying during a session.
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