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Facebook has announced a number of new features including audio editing, podcasts and a Clubhouse competitor due to launch later this summer.
The social media giant hopes to expand its empire with new audio-focused features in its apps. Users will be able to record, edit, and post audio within the Facebook app to several new social formats. Users will also be able to record and edit audio within the app using machine learning tools. The advanced algorithms will allow for background noise removal, audio enhancements, and filters. Music and sound effects will also be available through Facebook's Sound Collection. Once a user has recorded their audio, they can submit it for use in various social formats. A new format called Soundbites will be used to post short-form content such as poems, jokes, or ASMR.
Live audio recordings can be published as a podcast
Facebook hopes to support content monetization with an Audio Creator Fund to incentivize users to create content. In another audio-focused move, Facebook is bringing podcasts to its app. Users will be able to find, subscribe to, and listen to podcasts—all within Facebook. Creators will be able to connect with users through their podcast page. Live audio recordings can be edited in the app and submitted as a podcast. Fans will be able to take soundbites of a podcast and share them to their timeline. Facebook will offer closed captions for all audio and video content submitted to the platform. Additionally, users will be able to continue listening even when the app is running in the background.
Clubhouse competitor: Facebook announces its own version
Finally, Facebook has officially announced a response to Clubhouse. Users will be able to create a Live Audio Room within groups or in Messenger. Live Audio Rooms can be monetized, giving creators multiple sources of income for their audio efforts. Facebook users can purchase "stars" or tokens to donate to users they like. Creators will also one day be able to charge users for joining specific Live Audio Rooms. Facebook hasn't given an official timeline for the release beyond "this summer," so the overall rollout may take longer than some expect. Rumors have suggested that Facebook might partner with Spotify for podcasts. But in this announcement there was no indication of such a cooperation. (Photo by Unsplash / Alexander Shatov)
