Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of Twitter X, has officially announced the upcoming integration of video chat functionality on the platform. In a recent interview with CNBC’s Sara Eisen, Yaccarino revealed that users will soon be able to engage in video chat calls without the need to share their phone numbers.
Yaccarino’s revelation is in line with her and Elon Musk’s shared aspiration to redefine Twitter X as an “everything app.” This transformative vision aims to encompass an array of features such as extended videos, payment capabilities, and creator subscriptions. This strategic move signifies the duo’s endeavor to transcend the conventional boundaries of social media platforms.
This announcement follows a mysterious social media post by X designer Andrea Conway earlier this week. Conway intriguingly wrote, “Just called someone on X,” accompanied by a series of exploding-head emojis. While the post didn’t explicitly specify whether the call was voice or video, it now becomes apparent that it was a teaser for the upcoming video chat feature.
The introduction of video calls on X raises questions about its utility in a competitive landscape already populated by established platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Apple FaceTime. X will need to present a unique proposition to capture users’ interest amidst such a crowded space.
However, the strategic shifts under Elon Musk’s leadership have been aimed at transforming X, formerly Twitter, from a mere microblogging platform into a dynamic real-time hub catering to diverse forms of media, communication, and financial interactions.
One of X’s pioneering endeavors into uncharted territories was the introduction of long-form videos. In May, the platform unveiled its subscription offering, Twitter Blue, empowering subscribers to upload videos with durations of up to two hours. This step marked a significant expansion of X’s capabilities beyond its original scope.
In a bid to support content creators and incentivize their engagement, X has also implemented compensation for those with substantial followings. Reports emerged of users earning as much as $24,000. Yaccarino reiterated the company’s intentions to evolve X into a platform for financial transactions, fostering payments between friends and creators.
Linda Yaccarino’s interview provided a glimpse into the broader implications of X’s transformation. She emphasized that the rebranding of X symbolizes liberation from the constraints of traditional social media thinking. The platform’s new direction seeks to redefine how people come together, entertain, and conduct transactions – all within a unified and evolving ecosystem.
