A competitor to Clubhouse from Facebook might be Messenger Rooms
The New York Times reported in February that Facebook was building a competitor to the Clubhouse, but that there were questions that remained unanswered, such as what that product looks like or how it works.
However, new screenshots of a Facebook audio product, still in development, show what appears to be a live podcast experience that is an extension of Facebook's Messenger Rooms, rather than a standalone app experience.
Facebook confirmed that the images were examples of the company's exploratory voice efforts, but cautioned that they were not a straightforward product at this time.
The company also said: The details of what the product might look like based on these images would be imprecise, as the features are under development and may differ completely from live products.
The images help explain how Facebook thinks about live audio and where this social experience might fit into the current Facebook app.
Facebook's Messenger Rooms feature could provide a Clubhouse-style live broadcasting experience in the future.
The images were shared by mobile developer Alessandro Paluzzi, who encountered live audio developments via Facebook and user interface experiences within the code for the Facebook Android app.
“We have been connecting people through audio and video technologies for many years, and we're always exploring new ways to improve that experience for people,” a company spokesperson said, commenting on the images.
The current beta version of Messenger Rooms allows users to choose the type of room they want in the Zoom via Facebook competitor, which first launched in May.
One of the options provides a private sound room with friends, and the last private video room, while the last option called Live Audio allows the user to start an audio broadcast only to a room full of listeners.
Messenger Rooms supports up to 50 people but is not designed to provide a general broadcast experience.
The Facebook version currently has a Clubhouse-like interface, with speakers displayed at the top of the user list, and listeners listed below the speakers.
“Anyone on Facebook can join the broadcast without having to open Messenger Rooms,” says Palozzi.
— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) March 20, 2021