Social media is so 2010s. We’re entering the age of social audio, and Facebook won’t be left out. The company this week introduced a handful of tools and formats “that connect people with the things they care about”—in stereo.
“Just like we did for photos and videos, we want everyone to have tools that are powerful enough for the pros, but intuitive and fun,” Facebook app head Fidji Simo wrote in a blog post. “Like having a sound studio in your pocket.”
First things first: Facebook is building a set of audio-creation tools directly into the mobile platform. Thanks to a little artificial intelligence magic, users will be able to add background noises and sound effects, mix audio tracks, and try voice filters to enhance recordings and create Soundbites.
Soundbites
Short-form, creative audio clips, new Soundbites let you capture anecdotes, jokes, “moments of inspiration,” poems, and “many other things we haven’t yet imagined,” Simo said. Select creators will help test Soundbites over the coming months before it rolls out to everyone.
“Imagine, comedian Drew Lynch, sharing his short rants and food reviews in ASMR; Lolo Spencer, an accessibility advocate, reciting daily affirmations and her favorite inspirational quotes; Tobe Nwigwe, a visionary and entrepreneur, sharing his ‘convos with Tobe’ about fatherhood and being a first-generation Nigerian American,” the blog boasted.
“Molly Burke, a motivational speaker who is blind, recording empowering stories about overcoming adversity; and Josh Sundquist, an author and comedian, using voice effects to augment his impersonations and storytelling,” Simo continued. “The possibilities are endless and we can’t wait to hear their Soundbites.”
Podcasts
Most people struggle to listen to even 30 seconds of audio, let alone a full hour or more. But, some stories and conversations require more airtime—and Facebook is providing it. Folks will soon be able to listen to and discover podcasts directly on the mobile app. Find new series based on your interests, comment on episodes, and send recommendations to friends.
Live Audio Rooms
Why leave one app and open another when you can simply enter Live Audio Rooms in Facebook Groups? Expected to launch commercially this summer, the Clubhouse-esque feature promises something for everyone—from Filipino cooking and travel plans to octopus groupies.
“As part of this initial rollout—and because we know communities aren’t built just in Groups—we’ll also bring Live Audio Rooms to public figures so they can host conversations with other public figures, experts, and fans,” Simo explained. Keep an eye out for chats with NFL player Russell Wilson, record producer TOKiMONSTA, artist and director Elle Moxley, and Olympic medalist and entrepreneur Nastia Liukin.
The aim, according to Facebook, is to give users a space to share ideas with new audiences “without the added pressure of being on camera.” Live Audio Rooms will also launch on Messenger “so you can easily hang out with your friends, too.”
Captions will be made available on all new audio experiences, and the social network is introducing multiple monetization opportunities for audio creators. At launch, fans can support Live Audio Room users through Stars or pay Soundbite makers via Facebook’s new Audio Creator Fund; additional models will be added later.
“We’ve seen time and again just how much creative energy is liberated when you build powerful creation and editing tools, make them free and easy to use, and—with appropriate safety and privacy safeguards—put them out into the world,” Sima said. “By bringing the magic to new audio formats, we’re giving people a new way to say more of what they’ve always wanted to say, this whole time.”
This announcement comes less than two weeks after Facebook launched its latest experiment, Hotline, offering a sort of Instagram Live-meets-Clubhouse platform where creators can speak to an audience through text or audio—with the added option of video.
