LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) The social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is gearing up to introduce audio and video calling features, as confirmed by Elon Musk, who took over the platform last year.
These features are expected to be available on various platforms, including iOS, Android, Mac, and PC, and won’t require users to link a phone number.
However, the latest information suggests that these audio and video calling features may not be accessible to all X users.
Leaked screenshots of X’s code have revealed that access to these features could be exclusive to X Premium subscribers.
Investor Chris Messina shared screenshots of the code on rival app Threads, which hinted at the possibility of users being able to receive calls from people in their address book, users they follow, and verified users.
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The code also indicated that users could have the option to enable or disable the feature and choose who they want to receive calls from.
One screenshot strongly implies that these audio and video calling features could be part of the X Premium subscription, as it reads, “Audio and video calls are a premium feature. Subscribe to get access.”
It also suggests that users might be prompted to subscribe to X Premium when they hit a rate limit while trying to send direct messages.
X Premium, previously known as Twitter Blue, offers a range of additional features to paying subscribers, including a verification badge, reduced advertisements, longer posts, and the ability to edit posts.
The subscription is available at different price points depending on the platform and duration, making it a potential revenue stream for the platform.
Elon Musk has ambitious plans for X, aiming to transform it into an “everything app” similar to China’s WeChat.
This means X will not only offer social networking but also incorporate calling, messaging, in-app payments, and more.
Musk has also expressed interest in monetizing the platform by charging users a small monthly fee, which he believes could help combat issues like hate speech amplification by bots.
As X continues to evolve under Musk’s leadership, these new features and premium offerings are likely to play a significant role in shaping the platform’s future.