Facebook unveils its Clubhouse competitor ‘Hotline’ with beta test

Those with access to the beta describe the update as a mashup of Instagram Live and Clubhouse, as creators speak to audiences able to throw both text and audio questions to the room. However, unlike Clubhouse, creators can also opt to turn their cameras on like a FaceTime or Zoom call and will be visible inside a small display circle.

For digital socialites already getting to grips with Clubhouse or Spaces, Hotline’s interface will look very familiar. The host appears at the top of the app, while those asking questions are displayed in the space below where their enquiries can be upvoted (or downvoted if you’re about that life), and reacted to via emojis.

The host can then choose to bring guests ‘on stage’ where they will appear alongside in a separate preview circle and toggle their own cam options. We’ve all got lockdown hair at the moment, don’t stress it.

While Hotline undoubtedly sounds neat, whether or not it manages to capture the interest of audiences like Clubhouse’s launch remains to be seen.

Much of Clubhouse’s appeal comes from the sense of anonymity and the low pressure environment it builds, which makes Hotline’s decision to record conversations post chat a curious one and possibly risky in the game of securing a big userbase.

These decisions lend themselves well to a professional setting with podcast-style sessions for instance, but when it comes to the type of casual online hangout inspired by Snapchat, Clubhouse remains the most suitable solution for most Gen Z users as things stand.

Paul Davison, you can breathe a sigh of relief, for now.

Want to give Hotline a try for yourself? Apply to the waitlist at hotline.co.