The Invite Only App Accidentally Released an Upcoming Messaging Feature To Some Users
Clubhouse seems to have unintentionally released a new feature – known as ‘Backchannel’ – to some of its users. Late last week, social media users circulated the news of this feature, which allegedly allows users to chat via private message instead of audio.
Wow looks like accidental update of @clubhouse enabled in app backchannel & switch of side bar & full experience.
Seems it’s rolled back now but from what I saw it was beautiful!!
On stage > move to hallway > hit arrow > back channel popped up! @jowyang @GaryLHenderson pic.twitter.com/5bJfVlg7t5
— FANZO.eth (@iSocialFanz) June 18, 2021
Podcaster Brian Fanzo Tweeted a video of the new feature, which was never referenced in the app’s released notes and is clearly not yet a finalised version.
Product Manager Soumeya Benghanem acknowledged that Clubhouse’s accidental drop of the feature catalysed premature customer feedback and superfan excitement.
https://twitter.com/soumeya/status/1406044322764558336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1406044322764558336%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Finfluence.digital%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D8430action%3Dedit
Benhanem proceeded to announce that 5 rooms were opened to deliberate the new feature before it was taken down.
Clubhouse discussed the accidental leak to The Verge, stating, “as part of our product building process, Clubhouse regularly explores and tests potential features. These functions sometimes become part of the app, sometimes they don’t. We do not comment on potential features.”
It is unclear whether or not Clubhouse will include Backchannel future; all we know is that the audio chat app was hasty to remove it. Who knows if Clubhouse intentionally dropped this new feature to make waves across the internet, or mistakenly leaked it to its attentive user base?
Finally, for our previous #SocialShort, click here.
