Elon Musk surprised the social media world on Thursday when he announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it will soon be offering video and audio calls to its users.
The technology magnate said in his post on the platform that it will not require a phone number and that it will be available on iOS, Android, Mac, and PC systems.
“Video & audio calls coming to X,” Musk wrote. “X is the effective global address book. That set of factors is unique.”
He added that this feature will transform the platform into an “everything app,” similar to China’s WeChat. Up until now, it is already offering services including payments, allowing users to pay and exchange cryptocurrencies.
Musk confirmed the new development after X was granted a “crucial” currency transmitter license from US state of Rhode Island this week, allowing the platform to securely store, transfer, and facilitate the exchange of digital assets on behalf of its users.
This announcement is part ofMusk’s move towards building a subscriber base and pay model in an attempt to provide the platform with new means of income. The global advertising market has gone down since Twitter was purchased in October, with advertisers walking away due to the mass firings, lawsuits and recent scandals.
The imposing of charges for formerly free services, the changes in content moderation, as well as the return of previously banned far-right accounts, seems not to have also been favourably received by the community.
As a result, the iconic blue Twitter bird has disappeared along with its global recognition, being replaced by the characteristic ‘X’.