Video in Spaces live chats from X

December 15, 2023
In recent years, the world of social media has been dominated by an explosive growth of audio platforms. One such platform is X‘s Spaces, which allows users to participate in real-time audio conversations. However, to make the experience even more immersive, X has announced plans to add video support to Spaces chats.
X’s plan to introduce video to Spaces chats
Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur and owner of X, shared details of this new feature during a chat on Spaces. He explained that the goal is to provide users with the ability to turn video on or off during a live audio broadcast. When a person is talking, the video will focus on them, creating an experience similar to a group video call.
This option seems very similar to what platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet offer, where the speaker’s video screen is highlighted. Introducing video in Spaces would add an extra element to audio chats, making the experience even more engaging for users.
The current state of Spaces and the need for new features
Although Spaces was launched as part of the major expansion of audio platforms, it still has some limitations. Discovering new conversations is still problematic, and most people still prefer the image- and video-based social media experience. The introduction of video could be a way to make Spaces more attractive to a wider audience.
However, it is important to note that there are already other platforms that offer similar features, such as live feeds on Instagram, group video calls in Messenger or WhatsApp, and group video calls via specific apps such as Zoom. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate whether the addition of video in Spaces will really add value to the overall user experience.
The considerations of X and the possibility of connecting with the public
Elon Musk expressed his hope to release this new feature by the end of the year or early next year. The introduction of video could be a way to make Spaces even more engaging and increase the use of this option within the platform.
One possible strategy could be to use group video calls in Spaces as a way to connect more interactively with the audience. This could provide an opportunity to engage users in more dynamic and engaging group chat sessions.