Social networking giant Twitter has now introduced its Spaces audio chat room feature to its Android app, making it possible for Android users to join live Spaces from the top of their timeline while using the Android app. Twitter also says that Android users will soon be able to host their own spaces as well.

The expansion of Spaces into the Android universe is coming on the heels of further expansion of Twitter, as the company started testing voice DMs in the Indian subcontinent, Brazil, and Japan. These moves are expected to further position the social networking platform for greater functionality and customer retention.

The Spaces functionality is still under testing, therefore it is the beta version that is available on Android, but Twitter users on Android would not need to install the Twitter beta app in order to join a room. Rather, users will see the Live Spaces feature at the top of their timeline. 

For now, Android users will be unable to host their own Spaces, but Twitter has promised to incorporate this feature very soon. 

The clear opponent of Spaces is the Clubhouse and Twitter may have just pipped it in the race with the current Android rollout. Presently Clubhouse is only compatible with iOS, and will not allow users to join without being invited. Clubhouse co-founder Paul Davidson though has insisted that the Android version of the app is the “top feature” that his team is currently working on.

Twitter introduced Spaces as a “new social experience” in December 2020. It was initially limited to a “very small feedback group” of underrepresented voices and available only on iOS.

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(via)

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Amidst facing a lot of hiccups, Twitter never fails to update the features of its App. Today, it has started expanding the testing of one such ‘Twitter Spaces’ including a few users in India. This feature looks like a Clubhouse alternative and should give a tough fight to the invitation-only app soon.

Twitter has expanded the testing of the “Spaces” feature. For the unaware, this was first rolled out to Beta Testers back in December. It is a virtual audio chat room. Just like the currently popular Clubhouse, it enables users to join a voice chat or host one on the App.

It is actually powered by the Periscope, which is again a video streaming platform acquired by Twitter in 2015. Initially, the “Spaces” feature was available for a very limited number of users as a part of Beta testing. However, Twitter has confirmed to Techradar that it is expanding the testing phase including a few users in India for feedback before wider rollout.

Besides, Alpha Exploration Co.’s Clubhouse is based on an invite system and is currently limited to iOS. Although its Android version is coming this year, Twitter Spaces could swoop in before and capture the user base. That is, it is working for both Android, iOS users simultaneously and has now increased the user base to 3,000 more people after an initial count of 1,000.

Android gang…we haven't forgotten about you

@af_mada pic.twitter.com/SLaE1bXZUz

— Spaces (@TwitterSpaces) January 29, 2021

Basically, every Beta Tester would start a Public/Private Voice Room. Any Twitter user, following him, can listen to the audio inside the room. Inside the App, at the Twitter Fleet section, the Host icon with a Violet color ring and Voice icon will appear. Clicking on it shows two options- Listener, and Speaker.

It also shows the members inside the room and their designations. After clicking the option, you can either turn your mic on/off, send stickers, view transcriptions inside the space, and more.

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