Clubhouse for Android: A Limited Beta Launch
Clubhouse for Android has finally arrived, albeit in a limited beta version. Currently, the rollout is restricted to users in the US, but the company plans to gradually extend it to other English-speaking countries before reaching a global audience.
Introduction to Clubhouse
Originally launched as an iPhone-only app in 2020, Clubhouse gained rapid popularity among celebrities from various domains, including politics, technology, and entertainment. Its unique selling point lies in its audio-only format, allowing users to engage in discussions without interrupting their other activities.
The platform attracted prominent figures like Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, Kevin O’Leary, Ashton Kutcher, Kevin Hart, Drake, and many others.
In a recent blog post, the company expressed gratitude to Android users for their patience and announced the pre-registration option for Android users to receive notifications when the app becomes available in their region.
Features and Limitations
While Android users can now access the platform, they still require an invitation to use the app fully. Additionally, since the Android version is in beta, some features like linking Twitter and Instagram profiles, club management, and topic following are not yet accessible.
Decline in Downloads
Clubhouse experienced a meteoric rise in downloads, peaking at over 9.6 million installs in February. However, the numbers have since plummeted drastically. March saw a decrease to 2.7 million downloads, followed by a significant dip in April, with only 922,000 installs.
Facing Competition
The launch of Clubhouse for Android aims to rejuvenate its download numbers. However, it faces stiff competition from established players such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Spotify, and soon, Facebook. Twitter’s Spaces feature, a social audio alternative, is already live and accessible to users with over 1,000 followers. Meanwhile, Facebook’s Live Audio Rooms feature is set to debut later this summer.
In a bid to enhance its platform, Clubhouse recently announced a partnership with US-based payments processor Stripe, enabling users to send money to creators on the platform.
