Apple is bringing its acclaimed HomePod speakers to Malaysia. The HomePod lineup offers stunning audio experiences for every corner of your home. Starting May 10th, both the full-sized HomePod (2nd generation) and the compact HomePod mini will be available for purchase.
Source: Apple
The lineup delivers powerful, room-filling audio that will elevate your listening experience. The larger HomePod boasts rich bass and crisp highs, perfect for audiophiles. It utilizes advanced computational audio and a custom-engineered woofer to deliver clear vocals and immersive instrumentals. Additionally, room sensing technology adjusts the sound based on its placement, ensuring optimal acoustics in any room.
Source: Apple
The mini, despite its size, packs a punch. Its Apple-designed acoustic waveguide delivers rich 360-degree sound, while the S5 chip and software work together to optimize volume and clarity.
Your Smart Home Command Center
Both models go beyond just music. With Siri built-in, you can control your smart home with simple voice commands. Set lights, adjust thermostats, or even check the temperature in a room – all hands-free. They also act as a smart home hub, allowing you to connect and manage various smart home accessories through the Apple Home app.
Source: Apple
The HomePod lineup integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem. Handoff allows you to transfer music playback between your iPhone and HomePod effortlessly. Multiroom audio lets you play the same song throughout your house or create different sound zones with multiple HomePods. Additionally, pairing with Apple TV 4K unlocks a powerful home theatre experience, complete with enhanced dialogue clarity.
Pricing and Availability
The HomePod (2nd generation) will be available in Malaysia for RM1,549, while the HomePod mini comes in at RM529. Pre-orders start May 1st through Apple’s online store and app, with in-store availability starting May 10th.
Project Sound Lift, which was announced on stage at Adobe MAX, is poised to change the world of audio processing. This cutting-edge AI-powered tool will change the way audio layers are split in recordings, making it possible to separate voices from background noise with unmatched accuracy.
Users are able to isolate different components of sound like laughter, alarms, speech, crowds, traffic, typing, and more with Project Sound Lift. With the built-in AI, the tool is able to instantly find each layer of sound and make separate files for each one.
Adobe’s Project Sound Lift, on the other hand, focuses on specific sounds, making the audio editing process more tailored and precise. Adobe differentiates the tool with its many filters while other tools like Supertone’s Clear and Goyo’s Voice Separator focus on separating and changing background noise, voices, and vocal reverb.
The technology is already being used by the industry to restore older tracks. Of course, it comes as no surprise that the Beatles continue to break new ground with the restoration of their hit song “Now and Then”. The track is available on streaming platforms like TIDAL and Spotify. The track producers used a similar AI-based method to separate John Lennon’s voice from the piano music of the original track from a cassette recording.
Adobe showed off what Project Sound Lift could do during Adobe MAX, which also can be viewed on their YouTube channel.
Sennheiser‘s ACCENTUM Wireless headphones are now available in Malaysia. The feature-rich headphones mark a new dawn for Sennheiser in Malaysia after the acquisition of Sennheiser’s commercial business by Sonova. The headphones are also the trailblazing product for a new partnership between Sonova and StreamCast Asia as the exclusive distributor of Sennheiser consumer audio products in Malaysia.
The ACCENTUM Wireless headphones are not just another pair of headphones; they promise to be the ultimate “Soundtrack to Your Life.” These headphones combine the legendary Sennheiser acoustics with the tranquillity of Hybrid Active noise-cancelling technology. Engineered with the discerning audiophile in mind, the ACCENTUM Wireless headphones feature 37mm dynamic transducers, meticulously tuned to provide exhilarating sound experiences. They deliver exceptional bass performance and striking clarity. The acoustics have been refined to offer broad-spectrum ANC performance, effectively reducing external disturbances through a combination of passive isolation and concealed microphones targeting both low and high frequencies.
Source: Sonnova Consumer Hearing
What truly sets these headphones apart is their remarkable battery life, offering an astounding 50 hours of playback time on a single charge. For those moments when time is of the essence, the “quick charge” feature provides an additional 5 hours of listening with just a 10-minute charge. Additionally, the included USB-C charging cable allows these wireless headphones to be used as wired ones when Bluetooth is not an option. This not only adds to their versatility but also contributes to reducing electronic waste, promoting sustainability.
The ACCENTUM Wireless headphones are not only about audio excellence; they are touted to excel in handling voice calls as well. With two built-in microphones and a dedicated wind-reduction mode, they ensure that voice calls are crisp and clear. Thanks to adjustable side tone and advanced signal processing, conversations remain natural and free from fatigue, effectively minimizing background distractions. The multipoint feature allows seamless switching between active wireless connections, making these headphones an ideal choice for individuals who frequently switch between VoIP calls on their computer and streaming a podcast on their mobile devices during meetings.
In terms of design and comfort, the ACCENTUM headphones have been thoughtfully designed to ensure extended wearing comfort. The earcup and headband padding contact points gently conform to the wearer’s shape, providing a secure and natural fit. This design reflects the compact fold-flat design of the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, showcasing a cohesive and sophisticated look that places equal emphasis on sound and ergonomics.
Source: Sonnova Consumer Hearing
Staying in control of the ACCENTUM’s features is made intuitive with the simplified 4-button layout and the optional companion smartphone app. From managing Bluetooth connections and features to experimenting with the 5-band EQ, the Smart Control App enhances the headphone experience with a user-friendly interface that fits in your pocket. The Smart Control App can also store user presets and deliver updates, ensuring that the ACCENTUM headphones continue to operate smoothly as the devices they connect to evolve.
Pricing & Availability
The ACCENTUM Wireless headphones are available in two elegant colour options: black and white with sandstone accents. Both colours will be available for purchase from November onwards, and you can find them at the official Sennheiser website and all authorized Sennheiser resellers at an attractive price of RM999.
Sony is at it again bringing its audio prowess to gaming-focused products. Its latest offerings, the INZONE Buds and INZONE H5 are set to level up your gaming experience. These audio devices are a collaboration with Fnatic, the iconic esports team with back-to-back international titles.
INZONE Buds Wirelessly Elevating Your Gameplay
With the INZONE Buds, your gaming experience becomes a truly wireless one. The INZONE Buds come with a high-performance driver unit, the Dynamic Driver X, which can deliver deep bass, robust mids and highs. It also brings every sound within the game, from powerful explosions to subtle footsteps to life off the screen with minimal distortion. Sony touts unparalleled auditory realism with Buds. They also come with a new design that minimizes ear contact, making extended gaming sessions more comfortable.
The INZONE Buds comes with 360 Spatial Sound. The 360 Spatial Sound immerses you in the game. You’ll be able to hear your opponents no matter where they are with precision giving you a competitive edge. Sony has taken the science of sound to another level by customizing the sound field to your ears. Using the 360 Spatial Sound Personaliser app, you can create a personalized hearing profile based on your ear shape and canal acoustics.
INZONE Buds feature Sony’s active noise cancellation, ensuring you’re fully immersed in your game. This is enhanced with AI-augmented noise reduction which utilises the microphones of the buds to intelligently cancel out ambient noise.
Sony’s INZONE Buds takes speed and latency seriously. Like its recently announced PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds, the INZONE Buds come with a USB-C dongle connection. According to Sony, the USB-C dongle ensures a latency of less than 30ms and latency is crucial when it comes to gaming especially if you’re doing it competitively.
The INZONE Buds boast an impressive battery life, thanks to the low-power L1 processor. You get up to 12 hours on the headphones and an additional 24 hours with the charging case – the industry’s longest battery life. With Bluetooth Low Energy compatibility the INZONE Buds can provide 24 hours of battery life when connected to your smart device. You can even leverage Sony’s Headphone Connect app to tweak your settings.
INZONE H5: Your Ideal Gaming Companion
The INZONE H5 Headphones are a step above the H3 which was announced nearly a year ago. They offer a 2.4GHz wireless connection freeing you from your gaming setup. Like the INZONE Buds, the H5 delivers 360 Spatial Sound, pinpointing sound positions in 3D space.
Weighing just 260g, featuring soft-fit ear pads and a low-pressure design, the INZONE H5 is built for extended gaming sessions. AI-based noise reduction and a bi-directional microphone enhance your gaming experience while you also get to communicate seamlessly with your teammates.
You’ll be able to enjoy up to 28 hours of wireless gameplay on a single charge. If you run out of juice midway through your gaming session, you can simply plug in with the 3.5 mm plug.
Pricing & Availability:
These gaming audio devices will be available in Malaysia from October 2023.
The INZONE Buds will be available in Black and White and will be priced from MYR899.
The INZONE H5 will be available in Black and White. No pricing details have been announced just yet. However, given that it’s positioned between the H3 which is priced at MYR439 and the H7 which is priced at MYR1,099, we expect it to be priced at about MYR700 to MYR850. In the US, the H5 is priced at USD$149.99 which equates to about MYR709.
Together with the two new products, Sony also announced a new black colour for the INZONE H9 which is priced at MYR1,299.
We’re always reviewing the latest and greatest in tech when it comes to our regular content. So we thought it’d be a nice change of pace to check out a few earbuds that are below MYR 50. Here are three that left an impression.
1. AWEI T60 TWS Wireless Bluetooth
Price: MYR39
I’ve personally had experience with these earbuds. That’s why I’m putting them at the top of this list. They come with easy touch controls, a long-lasting battery and a fast-charging base that takes about 30 minutes to an hour for a full charge. It’s also a little flashy with cool breathing lights.
These have been my ride-or-die earbuds for a little bit now. It’s thanks to the decent sound quality and punchy bass. There may be a few glitches when it comes to Bluetooth stability and connection, however, overall it’s a pretty decent set of earbuds for the price.
The Awei T60 TWS Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are available on Shopee and Lazada.
2. Baseus Encok WM01 TWS Bluetooth Earphones
Price: MYR45.60
If you are one for style and aesthetics then I recommend this lovely pair – The Baseus Encok WM01. They come in 6 shades: Black, Yellow, Green, White, Pink, and Purple. It’s perfect for those who want to keep to their style, these earbuds have great sound and thanks to their noise reduction systems make listening to your tunes a breeze without the hassle of being disturbed.
It’s also pretty compact and fits snugly in your ear. It has a long-lasting battery of over 5 hours when fully charged and 25 hours with the charging case.
The Baseus Encok WM01 are available on Shopee and Lazada.
3. 【BACRAB】K55 Wireless Bluetooth
Price: MYR37.50
If you are looking for earbuds mainly for gaming you should check out the BACRAB K55. They’re decently powerful earphones that will not disturb or cause issues when used for games.
I’ve used it for a year myself and it didn’t have many issues. It also doesn’t affect game performance or connectivity on games like Mobile Legends or League of Legends Wild Rift. On average, the K55 can last up to 3 hours while gaming. Listening to music alone would give you an added hour or 2 of use.
It’s got decent sound, and punchy bass allowing you to immerse yourself in your games and music. It’s also got that gamer aesthetic complete with touch controls.
Bose has unveiled a trio of new audio products set to redefine the listening experience: the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and QuietComfort Headphones. These devices maintain Bose’s signature sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort while introducing a significant innovation—Bose Immersive Audio.
Bose Immersive Audio
Bose’s Immersive Audio is the company’s take on directional audio. Unlike its competitors, the technology doesn’t use AI to approximate audio direction – particularly when it comes to headphones. Instead, it generates a wider, more spacious soundstage that allows for layered, multidimensional sound. The best part? It’s platform agnostic – meaning that it’s done on the headphones itself. The onboard IMU and Bose’s proprietary digital signal processing software allows for a live concert-like experience, even with audio sources that don’t natively support spatial audio.
It comes with two modes: Still and Motion. “Still” mode keeps audio stationery for a consistent experience, while “Motion” mode, adapts sound according to your position and movements.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
These headphones replace the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 as Bose’s top-tier over-ear headphones. They address a common concern by folding it down for easy storage. The headphones introduce Bose’s Immersive Audio technology, along with CustomTune audio calibration. They provide clear calls, accurate voice assistant responses, and up to 24 hours of battery life.
The new QuietComfort Ultra headphones feature a completely re-engineered system with proprietary signal processing, advanced microphones and a robust chipset. These technologies enable improved noise cancellation and CustomTune while supporting Bose’s Aware mode with ActiveSense and improved voice pickup.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Building on the success of the QC Earbuds II, the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer noise cancellation, CustomTune calibration, responsive touch controls, and now Immersive Audio. Improved call quality is achieved through adaptive filters and dynamic microphone mixing. It also comes with an IPX4 water and dust resistance rating. They provide up to six hours of battery life, with an optional case for wireless charging.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Replacing the QuietComfort 45 Headphones, these offer high-fidelity audio and noise cancellation. Users can customize noise cancellation levels and modes. They provide up to 24 hours of battery life, support multipoint Bluetooth 5.1, and include a Spotify Tap button for convenience.
Compatibility and Connectivity
All three products support Snapdragon Sound Technology Suite, including Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec for audio streaming. They are Bluetooth 5.3 compatible and feature Google Fast Pair for Android devices. They are also compatible with Bose SimpleSync technology, allowing personalized pairing with select soundbars and speakers.
Pricing & Availability
Pre-orders for these products are now open.
The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are priced at GBP£449 (MYR2,610.17) while the Earbuds will cost GBP£299 (MYR1,738.21). Both will be available starting in early October in Black and White Smoke.
The QuietComfort Headphones will be available on September 21, 2023, in Black and White Smoke. There will also be a limited-edition Cypress Green colour. It will be priced at GBP£349 (MYR2,028.89).
The wireless charging case which is compatible with both the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the QC Earbuds II will be on sale for GBP£49.95 (MYR290.38).
There isn’t any word yet on when these products will be available in Malaysia. However, you can still purchase it on the Bose website.
Content creators that deal with videos and audio know the struggle. The struggle to get good audio is universal for almost any modern content creator. In most cases, while most might not realise it, bad audio can break your immersion or a good video. Think about it, imagine watching The Conjuring on mute. You will find that it is way less scary than it is.
Good audio is not just limited to the music, or sound effects though. In the world of radio, YouTube personalities, and podcasts, great audio usually means great vocals. We understand that struggle because we produce our very own podcast (available on Spotify, coming back in 2023). We had to spend a little bit of money to get a set of gears for the office and home ready and going for our Podcast series, Tech & Tonic, just to get that crisp and smooth radio voice.
Thing is, we do have to spend a bit of our own money to get better audio even at home. Getting at least a dedicated USB mic was the only way to get quality audio for our podcasts during the pandemic. But what if you do not or do not have that money to spend on a mic? What if your regular built-in mic on your laptop or headphone is enough to create your own podcasts? It is possible today with Adobe’s latest free tool.
Adobe, as one of the most widely used content creation suite, has been researching on ways to improve creative workflow using AI for years. Their AI tool has helped make Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, and even Rush even more efficient and way cleverer than before. They have also been messing about with AI in audio processing with Project Sasha, recently rebranded to Adobe Podcast.
As part of the project, they came up with something called Enhance Speech. The tool is free at this time, only requiring you to have an Adobe account to begin with, even without any subscription plans. The tool also works best with a desktop web browser, so you do want to get on at least a Chromebook to get it working. MP3 and WAV file format works best with the tool currently and the upload limit is 1GB.
Once you do that, the tool uses some form of deep learning algorithm to transform your audio from a slightly noisy recording to sounding like its recorded in an isolated professional studio. There have been reports that the tool does not work too well in extremely noisy scenarios though, so you do want to ensure that you are still doing as much as you can to keep your recording environment as quiet as possible. Of course, description only goes so far. You ought to experience the tool yourself, since it is free.
Our sample is a voice recording using the Samsung Galaxy Note9, one recorded with the mic right up near the mouth, and one placed on the table. We did not make too much effort in isolating the recording environment. We have some traffic noise, construction nearby, and even the MRT going about in our recording environment.
You can hear that a lot of the pop peaks have been cancelled out. While there is not much in terms of noise, the resulting audio sounds much cleaner and contains some of those radio like quality in the voice. Wind noise and echo is reduced to the point where you do not hear them too. If you are looking to start a podcast or improve your audio without spending extra money, you might want to give this tool a whirl on their website.
They say that a good audio adds a whole lot of value to your videos. They also say that even if your video looks bad, your audio can more than make up for it. It does sound counterintuitive, but it can be quite true.
While it is true that the first thing that should stand out in a video is the visuals itself, bad audio can destroy a perfectly good video experience. Audio is one of the most underrated tools in a video production that people sometimes do not pay too much attention to it, especially when it is good. When it is bad though, you just cannot bear to watch the video for too long because the audio just annoys you.
Audio gear is not exactly cheap or straightforward to work with though. Cheap solutions are out there, but they usually come with a whole slew of compromises that makes you think twice about using them sometimes, especially cables. Cabled set-ups, while are some of the most reliable and easily the best sounding while remaining relatively cheap to work with, is rather restrictive. That is also why plenty of productions have preferred to work with wireless microphone systems.
Source: DJI
There are plenty of good choices out there too in this department. One of the most popular choices out there is made by RODE. Plenty have also sort of followed suite in the same form factor. All of them are similar kits too with one receiver and two mic transmitter combos. Each item must be charged individually and kept separately though. There are a few risks to that, obviously.
What if you can just put them in a single place, and charge them simultaneously? What if you can just work with them like most true wireless earbuds now? They are sort of the same thing are they not?
Oddly enough, the first manufacturer that does this is not RODE or Shure. It is DJI with their new DJI MIC. DJI should not be an unfamiliar name to content creators at this point. They make some of the most interesting video recording hardware to date. A lot of them are also targeted to independent and small-time content creators. Most of them are video recording gears though, not really audio recording dedicated items until the DJI MIC.
It is a unique product, this DJI MIC. It will set you back US$ 329 (MYR 1,386*), which is just a little bit more expensive than the RODE Wireless Go II. It is a little smaller than the RODE alternatives. In concept, they work similarly. But there is one fundamental difference between the two. The DJI can be charged on a single platform and that single platform also works as their battery extenders, very much like true wireless headphones today.
Source: DJI
Obviously, coming from DJI, it also comes with a slew of adapters for maximum recording flexibility. There is a USB Type-C adapter and a Lightning adapter that comes with the set if you prefer to shoot with your smartphones. Because it is made primarily with DSLRs to mind, of course it comes with a hot shoe mount adapter and a matching 3.5mm audio cable.
According to DJI, the audio is transmitted via 2.4GHz frequency band that allows audio to be transmitted to the receiver from up to 250m away, which also means long lens shooting is not out of the question. DJI’s clever technologies have also ensured that the signals are free of interference for when your shoot locations get busy.
DJI also says that the entire package allows you to record videos at up to 15 hours in total (5 + 10 from charging case). That means that an entire day worth of shoot will be a non-issue with the DJI MIC. You are not going to be shooting five hours at a time as well, so you are not going to need to worry about the MIC running out of battery. If you need to, you can also record audio directly on to the receiver itself at up to 14 hours, either for backup, or when you are recording a podcast outside.
The DJI MIC is available now in select regions. As mentioned, it will set you back US$ 329. It is not officially available in Malaysia just yet. You can pre-order it in Malaysia for MYR 1,599. For more information on the DJI MIC, you can visit their website.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.21 on xe.com as of 05/04/2022
Today, content is king. When you talk about popular contents in the modern digital age, streaming is always something that comes up. The streaming industry is not limited to e-sports or gaming titles anymore, it could be anything really.
The entire streaming culture really can find its roots in gaming tough. When you talk gaming, you inevitably talk Razer. Razer is not just a gaming brand anymore though; they are a lifestyle brand with nice stuff for your PC and your gaming needs. We are also personal fans of the brand; we use their gaming peripherals and a certain compact USB mic for our podcasts (keep a look out for season 3!).
The streaming industry, as we pointed out, while started from the gaming culture is constantly growing. It used to be that you needed to have a capable enough gear to stream, a stable internet connection at home, preferably a fast one too just so that you can sit down and talk to hundreds to millions of people around the world. Today, 5G is looming upon us. Even without 5G, 4G LTE is more than enough to allow streamers to go LIVE anywhere and at any time. The number of digital platforms that allows anybody to stream whatever they like has changed the streaming industry.
Razer, as one of the brands that advocates the streaming culture must make progress with the streaming industry. To do that, they released a few new gears that streamers can up their game. They launched a new mic, a new mixer, and a lighting pad.
Taking Your Stream Anywhere – Razer Seiren BT
Source: Razer
To take your stream anywhere, anytime, you need to be mobile. The best hardware you have in your disposal is your smartphone. Your smartphone does everything a PC can while you are on the road. Most of the time though, while the camera on modern smartphones is more than capable of capturing clear, high-resolution videos for your Twitch stream, the audio is usually quite choppy unless you use a wired headphone and look cumbersome. Most wireless audio gear also means extra heft and a lot of cost.
The most elegant solution for this is using technology that is already available to us. That is why the Razer Seiren BT exists. The Razer Seiren BT is optimised to be used with smartphones and mobile streaming set ups to ensure that streamers always get the best audio quality no matter where they stream. Its simple clip-on design allows the mic to be mounted conveniently without disturbing your visuals. The wireless mic is also built with clever noise cancelling technology to cancel out background noise and wind noise in the environment, controllable via the Razer Streaming Mobile App.
Have More Control Over Your Streamed Radio – Razer Audio Mixer
Most of the time, audio is an afterthought in streaming. While setting up, plenty of people will tell you how important it is to get your visual right. You tend to focus on getting a good camera on hand and to make sure you and your environment looks good. Then you forget you need to let your voice get through in the stream, so you get yourself a mic that easily plugs into the USB port.
Source: Razer
While that is all good, you will have a problem when you want to work with multiple audio streams. You can, technically, control all these audio streams on your PC itself if you have the technical know-how. If you do not though, the Razer Audio Mixer is here to help.
The Audio Mixer is a clever solution to your Audio problem when streaming. It allows you to control up to 4 audio input channels to stream audio into and from your PC. It is an analogue board as well, so you can have direct and quick fader control over all the audio channels you have for your stream.
The Audio Mixer takes on most audio inputs too including hybrid-XLRs inputs, TRS Line, Optical TOS and others. Integrated to Razer’s versatile Synapse 3 software, streamers not just adjust the volume of your audio inputs and outputs. You can access the EQ of each channel via the software to tune your audio in your streams. All of these is done and loaded on the Razer Audio Mixer’s processor, so your PC can focus on working the video streams.
Visuals is Still Everything Though – Razer Key Light Chroma
Source: Razer
Being one of the big advocates of RGB hardware in gaming hardware, Razer is still all about the visuals too. Of course, visuals are still very important in streaming culture. You do not want to see badly filmed stream with dim lighting on the star of the show. As a star, you do not want your face to be covered by darkness too. But the regular cool or warm lighting is just too boring. What do you do?
You get the Razer key Light Chroma RGB light pads, mount it to your desk with an included desk clamp pole, point the pads to you, and choose whatever colour you want on your face, or lighting up your room. The Razer Key Light Chroma looks very much like a regular professional light pads used to light up a room or a scene with 16.8-million choice of colours with RGB Chroma. But connect them to your or smartphone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and you will find that Razer’s Synapse 3 and Streaming App features more controls over the light pad than you know. Sadly, it is not battery compatible, you do need to carry a power adapter that can supply 52.5W to each light pad to power the pads. If you want to take your streaming mobile with the 2800 Lumens light source, you do want to make sure you have a power outlet available.
The Razer Seiren BT, Audio Mixer, and Key Light Chroma is now available on Razer’s online store and authorised stores. Unlike some of other devices in Razer’s arsenal, there are no colour options for these devices. Prices start from US$ 99.99 (MYR 479*) for the Seiren BT, US$ 299.99 (MYR 1,399*) for the Key Light Chroma, and US$ 249.99 (MYR 1,209*) for the Audio Mixer. More information on Razer’s range of streaming focused hardware can be found on their website.
Clubhouse became the rage late last year when Elon Musk decided to host a conversation and discussion on the platform. It became the biggest social media fad since Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat joined the party too in 2020. To be fair, Facebook is getting a little old, and people are getting a bit bored by it. It is still one of the foremost social media platforms, do not get us wrong. It is a place for absolutely everything you can imagine, from making friends, getting trades, source of daily news, to even getting dates.
Clubhouse is a unique platform though. Unlike the usual social media platforms which are heavy on visuals and are mainly visual based platforms, Clubhouse is purely audio based. Unlike most platforms as well, which stores or records your media for at least the next 24 hours, Clubhouse does not have audio recording built-into the platform. That also means that once you miss a session on Clubhouse, you missed it.
It also comes in a time where the need for human interaction is at an all-time high. The whole pandemic situation around the world has isolated us in an unprecedented rate. Working from home and not being able to interact with people as normally as we can has taken a toll on everyone. On Clubhouse, some normalisation can be achieved by naturally talking to your friends or meeting new people on the platform on subjects that you can relate to.
It started out as an iOS exclusive as well with the Android version released a bout a month ago. While Android users have to content with plenty of missing contents and features from the beta app compared to the iOS version, they were pretty much warned about the beta status. What a lot of other people do not realise though, is that while the app has existed for a year or so, the app was still in Beta mode.
That also explains the fact that you can only be invited to the app instead of simply signing up on the platform and get access to all the contents that the platform has to offer. With the Beta status taken off and finally launching in full, Clubhouse’s invite only exclusivity will be removed. Anyone in the waiting list with no invite will immediately get full access to Clubhouse’s various contents and curation.
Aside from the no waiting list update, there are a few things that is released with the updated Clubhouse. To celebrate the Japan Olympics, users can now add a national flag to their bio. There is a new icon to the app as well as part of the update.
Clubhouse, so far, is still the most popular platform of its kind. That has not stopped companies like Spotify, Facebook, and even Discord to try to get in on the Slack action with their own version of an audio chat platform though. While newer platforms like Spotify’s Greenroom may do a few things better than Clubhouse, the platform is fairly new and might take some time to stick compared to clubhouse.
Clubhouse is now available for free on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. As mentioned, there are no more waiting list to get on the platform, so signing up and getting to the contents is just as simple as signing up on the platform itself with your mobile number. As far as we are concerned, the only downside to the platform is that the account is tied to your mobile number.
