A new application called Clubhouse became trending and excited on social media in just an instant. Many people have now downloaded it but do not understand how to use it. Therefore, we have summarized some things you should know about the application, including the meaning, origin and also how to get the invitation.
What is a clubhouse
Clubhouse is a social network in the form of audio-chat that allows its users to take part in the discussions that are made. This application is in the form of a conference call , in which users can talk and others listen. These discussion sessions can cover a wide variety of topics and are clearly marked on the app.
To further clarify, this clubhouse is like a podcast but is more interactive in nature because users can immediately take turns to provide opinions and discuss “real time” with other users. After the discussion is finished, the chat room will automatically close.
Origin Clubhouse
Clubhouse was originally created by a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Paul Davison and also a former Google employee, Rohan Seth. They both launched this application when the COVID-19 pandemic began to hit America, which was around mid-March 2020
Alpha Exploration Co is the company behind Clubhouse’s boom. This company had received an investment injection of USD 12 million from Andreessen Horowitz in May 2020, which is about 2 months after the launch of the application and its active users only reached 1,500 people.
In 2021 Clubhouse skyrocketed worldwide thanks to promotions by Elon Musk. As of February 1, 2021, Clubhouse already has more than 2 million users and has a valuation of around USD 1 billion. Even now Clubhouse has officially labeled itself as a Unicorn at the age of less than 1 year since the launch of the application.
Elon Musk and His Relationship With the Clubhouse
The clubhouse skyrocketed to its name and recognized by the public thanks to Elon Musk who is none other than the #1 richest person in the world and also the founder of several large companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, and many other companies. Currently, many other well-known founders and executives have signed up for the Clubhouse app, including Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.
Elon Musk made his vocal debut on the Clubhouse app by holding a chat session on market dynamics with Robinhood CEO, Vlad Tenev. Through his tweets on twitter, Elon Musk also once invited the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, to participate in discussions in the Clubhouse application.
How the Clubhouse Works
Here are some key points on how to use the clubhouse
- Clubhouse creates a place where the user can host from a chat room, or just listen, and also on some occasions can join conversations in the community whose topics we can choose and determine.
- When users open the app, they are presented with a list of chat rooms, as well as a list showing who is in each chat room.
- Users can join existing chat rooms or can also start their own chat rooms, and invite other users to start new conversations.
- Each chat room has a moderator, speaker and listener.
- The moderator will control who gets speaking privileges. But Clubhouse also has a “raise hand” feature to give listeners a chance to speak.
- In the Clubhouse app, there are no images, videos, or even text.
- Users can join and leave calls at any time, and turn any room into a rally hall.
- If the user has an invitation then they can register and choose the most interesting topic according to the user’s taste.
How to Join and Create a Clubhouse Account
Currently the Clubhouse app is only available for iOS users, and not yet available for android. In addition, Clubhouse also offers exclusivity for its users, because someone can only register if they have been invited by other users.
If you have been invited, there will be a link sent via SMS and directing you to the Clubhouse application sign up page. Keep in mind that currently Clubhouse users only have 2 invites that can be given to other people. So even though many people have downloaded this application, many of them still can’t join as users because they don’t get an invite.
As a result, invitations to join the Clubhouse are also widely traded on e-commerce sites. This is also a problem in itself, because actually joining the Clubhouse is free and absolutely free of charge.
Clubhouse Competitors
Clubhouse faces stiff competition from its competitor, Twitter. The social media is currently working on a similar product with a new feature called Spaces. Although currently, Spaces is only available to a small group of beta users. However, it is predicted that in the future, Space is claimed to be superior to Clubhouse because Spaces users may find it easier to find audiences because the feature is integrated directly into Twitter.
Threatened by KOMINFO
Even though it is being loved by the public, the Clubhouse application is threatened with being blocked by the Ministry of Communication and Information. This is because the Clubhouse has not been registered as an Electronic System Operator (PSE) in Indonesia.
The PSE regulation actually regulates the Implementation of Private Scope Electronic Systems. In that regulation, the Private Scope Electronic System Operator is defined as the Electronic System operation by people, business entities, and the public. The obligation to register PSE is regulated in Article 2. In the article it is written that “the obligation to register for Private Scope PSE is carried out before the Electronic System begins to be used by Electronic System Users”.
The PSE registration period in Indonesia is open for six months since the regulation was promulgated on 24 November. This means that the Clubhouse must immediately register according to the applicable provisions so as not to be subject to sanctions and threats of blocking. They have at least until May 24, 2021 to register themselves.