Amazon is following many other tech companies by shamelessly developing a Clubhouse-like app. Ever since Clubhouse became a breakout hit, many companies have been getting into the live audio space. Facebook has Live Audio Rooms, Twitter has Spaces, and Spotify has Greenroom. And though each service has its own features and benefits, they’re all centered around the same basic premise; creators establish a virtual room where they can host live conversations with listeners tuning in (and sometimes contributing) in real-time. Still, nobody seems to have come close to the hype Clubhouse attracted.
As the owner of both Audible and Twitch, Amazon is no stranger to audio or broadcasting services. However, it has—at least publicly—not made overtures that it plans to enter the live audio market. Still, with its Amazon Web Services division and platforms such as Alexa and Amazon Music, the firm is not only well-positioned to bring such an app to market, it might also have just enough to differentiate itself from the rest of the pack.
The Verge reports Amazon is developing an app currently dubbed Project Mic. According to an internal presentation, the service will let creators host live conversations and play music—essentially providing a way for users to create their own radio shows. Tracks will come from Amazon Music’s expansive library, thereby circumventing any need for hosts to have to tangle with the messy world of music licensing. As with rival services, Project Mic hosts will be able to invite guests into conversations. The reporting also indicates that Amazon plans to sign up celebrity hosts, though notably, the service will be US-only at launch.
In-Car Optimization
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Project Mic will be the ability to transmit broadcasts via several of Amazon’s other platforms, including Audible, Apple Music, and Twitch. The Verge also indicates Amazon will optimize its app for use in the car. Users will see a list of currently live shows and will be able to control playback using their voice. It’s worth noting that the Amazon Music app offers a Car Mode, which uses Alexa and large-display buttons.
It’s unclear when (or if) Amazon will launch Project Mic. However, if it follows through on what is being proposed, it could undoubtedly be a compelling app. Despite the rise of podcasts and multiple podcast apps, for the most part, users still have to actively find and subscribe to shows they want to listen to. By contrast, radio is a relatively passive experience—listeners tune in knowing they can easily skip to another station if they tire of the host’s voice or get bored of the music being played. For drivers who can’t afford to divert their attention, Amazon’s new app could be the perfect way to engage with the live audio world. And for hosts, knowing Amazon is focused on an excellent in-car experience—as well as distributing shows across its various services—it might just become the place to launch a radio DJ career.
Source: The Verge