The ‘Stereo App’: Here’s all you need to know about Clubhouse’s latest nemesis!

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While the pandemic disrupted many businesses across the globe, internet and social media companies witnessed tremendous traction on their platforms. Lockdown restrictions forced people to look for various ways to keep themselves engaged.

Apart from the traditional chatting and video apps, the year 2020 saw the emergence of a new category of virtual communication – audio applications. The primary model of these applications are based on podcast-type conversations that brings the world much closer with you and I getting an opportunity to hear out some of the most famous celebrities, exchange and express personal ideas and feel more connected online.

The Stereo App, an audio-only LIVE social platform, allows its users to listen and become a part of digital conversations from anywhere in the world. The app lets you choose your topics of interest amongst a pool of options available and engage in discussions surrounding it with anyone right from an ordinary guy to a veteran in the subject. For example, I love poetry, literature and cinema – I can download the Stereo app and tick these subjects as ‘favourites’ and also follow celebrities who talk on similar topics. It gives me the opportunity to hear anyone and everyone who enjoys the these subjects and have a perspective, information or work to share with the world.

“Social audio apps, such as Stereo are seeing a spike, driven in part by an increase in Zoom fatigue over the past year, and a yearning for personal and yet non-invasive social and live conversations,” Prabhu Ram, Head – Industry Intelligence Group at CyberMedia Research, told Money9.

Stereo isn’t the only application in this genre. Clubhouse, another audio-only social app, is also a popular choice amongst users but it is still in the beta stage and allows people to join in only through an invite sent from an existing user. Additionally, it is available only for iOS users. These features make Clubhouse highly selective and less user-friendly.

However, Stereo is available on both Android as well as iOS phone and doesn’t require any specific prerequisites to join the application. Once downloaded, users can complete the verification process by entering the mobile number. Once you’ve created an account on the app, your contacts can be synced if you give permission.

“Stereo combats loneliness; provides a platform for debate and education; a destination for entertainment and fun; a vehicle to advance purpose and cause related campaigning; a catalyst to connect instantly and engage with your fan base; an opportunity to expand your network of friends and followers,”  a post says on its website.

The only condition to join the app – the user needs to be over 18 years of age.

The Stereo app doesn’t use photographs, instead it lets you create an animated avatar of your own which appears talking while you record an audio.

“For users of such audio apps, they are able to go about their daily chores at home, whether it be work or leisure, while listening-in and participating in audio conversations via apps on smartphones. A mix of real conference-cum-podcast medium that social audio accords augurs well for its future growth,” Ram asserted.

Audio apps have seen a uptrend in the recent months and it sure is going to stay considering that it has fewer options in the market and is a relatively new concept for a generation that feeds on innovation.