Is X Planning to Launch a Video Conferencing Tool?

Elon Musk’s X, formerly known as Twitter, is taking a significant step forward in its evolution by exploring video conferencing tool, a move that aligns with Musk’s vision of transforming the platform into an “everything app.” The recent development was highlighted by X employee Chris Park, who shared a screenshot of an internal test call using a new tool called X Conference. This internal video call marks a new chapter for X as it ventures into the competitive space of video conferencing, potentially positioning itself alongside established platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

video conferencing tools

According to Park, the initial feedback from this internal test was positive, signaling that X Conference could become a robust tool in the platform’s expanding suite of services. The company is already planning to add several key features to enhance the user experience. These include speaker pinning, which would allow users to lock the focus on a specific speaker during calls, and improved notifications to better manage when participants join or leave a call. Additionally, the development team is working on minimizing the interface flicker that occurs when the speaker view shifts, a common issue in video conferencing tools. This would ensure that users aren’t distracted by seeing themselves too frequently on screen.

Elon Musk’s response to the announcement was a simple yet telling fire emoji, hinting that this feature might be closer to public release than many might have anticipated. The fire emoji, often used to signify something exciting or impressive, could be interpreted as Musk’s endorsement of the project’s potential. Meanwhile, some app developers who have been exploring the tool have suggested that X Conference might also be supported on the iOS app, potentially broadening its accessibility. There’s also talk of introducing unique meeting codes, which could enhance security by ensuring that only invited participants can join a meeting.

This move into video conferencing is just the latest in a series of strategic developments for X. Recently, the platform has been expanding its functionalities to compete with other major tech companies. For instance, X has made moves to challenge LinkedIn in the job listings space and PayPal in the payments arena. Now, by venturing into video conferencing, X is setting its sights on another crucial area of digital communication, furthering its quest to become a comprehensive platform for various online activities.

While X Conference is a new feature, it is not the first time the platform has dabbled in video-based communication. The platform already offers live video streaming through its Spaces feature, which allows users to broadcast live conversations to their followers. There is speculation that X Conference could either integrate with Spaces or at least draw inspiration from it. This existing feature could provide a solid foundation for the new video conferencing tool, enabling X to leverage its experience with live video to create a seamless and effective video meeting solution.

However, it’s important to note that X’s recent innovations have not been without controversy. Since Musk took over the platform in late 2022, X has faced criticism on several fronts. One particular concern is the lack of proper IP masking, which could expose users to privacy risks. Additionally, the platform’s new calling feature has been criticized for being on by default, raising further privacy and security concerns. These issues could pose challenges for the adoption of X Conference, especially in a market where trust and security are paramount.

Despite these concerns, there is still significant potential for X Conference to find its niche in the crowded video conferencing market. The continued popularity of hybrid and remote working models suggests that there is room for another strong player in the online collaboration space. Even though Musk has expressed mixed views on remote work, the broader market trends indicate that demand for reliable and secure video conferencing tools will remain strong. If X can address the privacy and security concerns effectively, X Conference could become a valuable addition to the platform’s growing list of features, helping it to further its goal of becoming an all-encompassing digital hub.