A new iteration on the live streaming video/audio concept has emerged from Facebook’s internal research and development group and it looks set to combine the most popular features of rival Clubhouse with the company’s own Instagram Live.
Dubbed Hotline, the setup is pretty much what you would expect from this niche. The one differentiation it has, however, is that it allows for either audio or video (or both) as well as a feature that gives the audience the ability to vote on submitted questions.
Using a question-and-answer format, Hotline is apparently aimed at experts and educators or people who can help others expand their professional skillset according to TechCrunch. Also, unlike Clubhouse, Hotline-hosted events are recorded. The idea behind this is that the host can use that content on other social media platforms and even edit it down into smaller snippets. Naturally, the host has complete control over who can participate and can remove audience members that are abusive or otherwise disruptive. The TechCrunch report detailing the beta of the service says that Facebook employees will be monitoring some events and making sure that participants adhere to the company terms of service and community standards.
With Hotline, we’re hoping to understand how interactive, live multimedia Q&As can help people learn from experts in areas like professional skills, just as it helps those experts build their businesses. New Product Experimentation has been testing multimedia products like CatchUp, Venue, Collab, and BARS, and we’re encouraged to see the formats continue to help people connect and build community,” a Facebook spokesperson told TechCrunch.
Do you use any live streaming platforms for work or otherwise? What’s your opinion of the sudden explosion in apps catering to this niche? Let us know your thoughts on the popularity of video live streaming services in the comments below.
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