There are those who maintain that the future of social networks will be discussed and the truth is that you may be right seeing the latest movements that they are making. The latest is Twitter Spaces , an experiment for now but one that could change the way the platform is used.
What is Twitter Spaces
Spaces is the name of a new experiment with which Twitter is going to test how voice could become this new form of communication within its own platform. A richer option than the text and that if it came to fruition could completely change the way in which most use the popular social network.
Of course, you may wonder why Twiiter wants us to use voice instead of text, of those 280 characters (initially only 140) that have always defined it. The reasons are basically having a greater capacity when it comes to transmitting emotions, nuances and even empathy towards other users.
And there we do have to give them the reason that it is practically the only safe way to do it. Because who has not read a message with the wrong tone? Well, that is partly what this new feature that Twitter is currently testing with a small number of users wants to solve.
Going into a little more detail, Spaces will create small spaces where a small group of users can connect directly and intimately. That is, as if they were small audio chat rooms , the idea is that the conversation that takes place is as pleasant as when we meet for dinner with a small group of people.
In any case, it is important to know that in these new Twitter spaces, absolute control will be held by whoever creates it. That means that everyone will be able to hear what is being said inside, but only the owner of the space and those people who you give permission to do so participate.
What other users will be able to do is make use of reactions through emojis and the like. Something that possibly also sounds familiar to you because of what can be done on other platforms when a live is performed, etc.
Twitter Spaces and the Clubhouse model
If you are involved in all this of social networks, platforms, online services, etc., it is likely that you know Clubhouse . This is a particular social network that is very fashionable and not because of its massive growth but because you need an invitation to access it .
When you become part of the Clubhouse, what you find is that it is a 100% auditory social platform. The only thing you need to enjoy it, in addition to the logical invitation because otherwise you cannot access it, is a pair of headphones to listen carefully to everything that is discussed in its rooms.
That is another of the peculiarities of the platform, it is organized in rooms that you can access to talk about topics as diverse as politics, technology, economics, etc. Each of these rooms has its moderator and although they have received some criticism, the truth is that inside you can find important figures within the Silicon Valley entrepreneurial world or celebrities like Ashton Kutcher.
Well that is more or less the model that Twitter seems to implement with Spaces . And the good thing is that with this you already know a little about what problems and dangers you are facing, so they are already working on solving all that before its global launch if it happens. Because again we must remember that for now it is just an experiment.
The future of social media: voice
As we said at the beginning, there are those who believe that voice will be the future of social networks and they may be right. During this 2020 we have seen how being able to connect with those people who matter to us gained greater relevance . It is true that it has not been an easy year and the COVID 19 pandemic forced many to remain locked up at home, barely able to communicate with other people if it was not through the use of technology.
This is how various proposals such as direct from Instagram, video call applications such as Houseparty, Zoom, Meets, etc., gained more and more users. And also all this made some wonder to what extent it was worth betting on a communication where audio is the most important thing.
In Wired they speak very well of this whole situation and how now it seems that all of them are going to experiment to see to what extent or what is the formula for success that introduces the voice as an element of communication in social networks equal or more important than written messages .
For now, Twitter tries this option while the rest outlines what they already have or are making changes to allow interaction with more people at the same time. However, the biggest challenge in using the voice is the fight against bullying. If they achieve tools capable of making the user feel safe, then victory will be near.