Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of the renowned micro-blogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), has revealed the company’s upcoming plans to introduce video calling to its platform. This strategic move is in line with X’s ambition to evolve into an all-encompassing application, drawing parallels to China’s popular WeChat app.
Yaccarino’s announcement shed light on the forthcoming addition of video chat capabilities, allowing users to initiate video calls directly within the platform without the need to share their phone numbers. In an interview with CNBC, Yaccarino stated, “You’ll be able to make video chat calls without having to give your phone number to anyone on the platform.” She further highlighted X’s thriving data licensing and API businesses, as well as the growth of their new subscription model.
Beyond video calling, Yaccarino delved into the platform’s expansion plans, which encompass extended video capabilities and subscription offerings tailored for content creators. The CEO also alluded to upcoming ventures in the realm of digital payments, hinting at X’s evolving ecosystem.
Designer Andrea Conway, associated with X, provided a glimpse of the impending video calling feature through a tweet that read, “Just called someone on X.”
Commenting on the well-publicized rivalry between entrepreneur Elon Musk and Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Yaccarino weighed in, saying, “We’ll see if that cage match really does happen. What I can say is that I’ve had a front row seat of witnessing that Musk is training.” Musk’s aspirations for X closely align with transforming it into an “everything app,” akin to the multifunctional WeChat platform in China.
In tandem with the video calling revelation, X, under Musk’s ownership, is reportedly developing a feature to enable users to sort posts on profiles. Additionally, the platform recently introduced the option for paid subscribers to conceal their checkmarks on accounts, offering increased control over their presence.
Highlighting X’s commitment to content creators, the platform initiated an “ads revenue sharing program” that remunerates Indian creators for their contributions. Following the launch of this program, users posted screenshots of the messages they received from X, detailing their share of the ad revenue. Globally, creators showcased the monetary benefits they derived from the platform through the new program.
Although the ad share distribution was scheduled for the week ending July 31, the program was temporarily halted due to the overwhelming influx of payment requests, a testament to the platform’s active and engaged creator community.
